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