Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - not the calm, disciplined, 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 if this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?
One could pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to victory
The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a long way to go but the door is available for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up forty points to go to seven and two before next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA
They've both won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Both could realistically 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 potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly two of the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards