Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Path 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 proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their combined 24 wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to success
The defense is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to break 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, 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 play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There's a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA
They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game
Each could easily be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards