Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - not the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 squads in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to victory
The defensive unit is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also compete for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each scored forty points to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could easily be undefeated as well - especially the Rams as their pair of losses came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 yards, registering three scores and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards