Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans 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 remaining games that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total twenty-four wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive victories, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely deserves point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to victory
The defense is solid and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a long way to go but the door is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming major game between the two in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards