Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen along with Drake Maye will meet in the fifteenth week for what could be an AFC East title decider
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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?

Josh Allen in action
Did Josh Allen attempt too much or was it just a poor performance 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

TreVeyon Henderson running
Henderson recorded the fifth fastest speed in the NFL this year

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

Jonathan Taylor running
Jonathan Taylor is chasing down multiple rushing and touchdown milestones

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

Erica Rice
Erica Rice

Consumer insights expert with over a decade of experience in product testing and market analysis, dedicated to helping shoppers find the best value.