Bills' Bay Day Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
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 answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the composed, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different eight and two teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his team to success
The defense is solid and rookie rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a long way to travel but the door is available for a shock number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to go to 7-2 before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing another 42 {receiving yards