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 given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans into the National Football League
That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the 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
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into seven points just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - not the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've seen this year
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're among three 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 victories achieved against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to victory
The defense is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the door is available for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to reach seven and two before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA
Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards