Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?
You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his side to success
The defense is solid and first-year rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22mph this year on his first score
While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a long way to go but the door is open for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA
Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards