Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that attracts so many people into the NFL
This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to victory
The defensive unit is solid and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
While you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the best record due to their schedule - which features just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored forty points to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming major game between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Each could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards