Bills' Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh 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 Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
Miami have served up a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're among three different eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but are they the top team?
One could pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his side to victory
The defense is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, although a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored forty points to reach 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Both could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three scores and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards