Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've seen this year
Miami have served up a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 victories coming against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight wins, 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 continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his team to success
The defensive unit is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored forty points to reach seven and two before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards