Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen and Drake Maye will meet in the fifteenth week for what could be an American Football Conference East title decider
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League

This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors

Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles 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 Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

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

Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer

The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and display

MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the league's top offences

Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores

Containing the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average

Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just later

It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season

Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed

TreVeyon Henderson running
Henderson clocked the fifth quickest velocity in the NFL this season

Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but are they the top team?

One could find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Broncos

The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Orchard Park seems like a declaration

Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down 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 credit for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to success

The defense is reliable and first-year rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score

Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills

Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown

Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the pair in LA

Both have won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game

Each could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly among the top teams in the NFL

The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far

Top Performer - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Taylor is pursuing multiple rushing and scoring records

Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing another 42 {receiving yards

Ronnie Lyons
Ronnie Lyons

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino strategy and player psychology.