Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs 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 second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was still a massive egg 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 touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?
One could find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 victories coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a shock number one position 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 each put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly among 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
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards