Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen along with Drake Maye are scheduled to face in week 15 for potentially an American Football Conference East championship showdown
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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?

Josh Allen in action
Was Josh Allen try too much or was it 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

TreVeyon Henderson running
Henderson clocked the fifth quickest velocity in the league this year

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 running
Jonathan Taylor is chasing down several rushing and touchdown milestones

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

John Bush
John Bush

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