Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the NFL
That result could have created 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 8-2 competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the best?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total 24 victories achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to victory
The defensive unit is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this year on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a shock number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each put up forty points to reach 7-2 before next week's major game between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly two of the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards