Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been 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 Bills had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was crucial too, 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
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the New England, they're among three different eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns point for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his side to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each scored forty points to go to seven and two before next week's major game between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Each could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing another 42 {receiving yards