Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different eight and two teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to success
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22mph this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the door is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming major game between the two in LA
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly two of the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards