Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles 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 - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was also key, with Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble 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 Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
Miami have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, similar to the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up forty points to reach seven and two before the upcoming major meeting between the two in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Both could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards