Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - not the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this season
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the best?
One could find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their combined 24 wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly deserves point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his side to success
The defense is reliable and first-year rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to reach seven and two ahead of next week's major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could easily be undefeated as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick deflected and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three scores and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards