Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many fans into the National Football League
That result may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash 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 comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into seven points just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
Miami 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 need an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to success
The defense is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles 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 Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a long way to travel but the door is open for a shock top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a contest
Each could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're 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
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards