Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Route to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL
This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP 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? That's 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 Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - admittedly Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three eight and two squads in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?
One could find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Denver
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive victories, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his side to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There's a long way to travel but the door is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two before next week's major meeting between the two in LA
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards