Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many people into the NFL
That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - 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 passed for two scores but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC teams, but are they the best?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their combined 24 victories achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns credit for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his team to victory
The defense is reliable and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West 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 schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a long way to travel but the door is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both put up forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the two 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 ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a contest
Each could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards