Buffalo's 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 demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player 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 answer
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 quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Denver
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to victory
The defense is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, 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 play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Clash
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of next week's major game between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting 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 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards