Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just later
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - not the composed, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
Miami have served up a varied performances this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three eight and two teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
Denver 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 victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns credit for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to success
The defense is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites 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 the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA
They've both won four in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest
Each could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three scores and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards