Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives New England 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 proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown 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 consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team ran out 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 first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four victories coming against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to victory
The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene 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 exceed 22mph this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the top record due to their schedule - which features just one game against a winning team, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both scored forty points to reach seven and two before next week's major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Both could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses occurred 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 Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three scores and adding another forty-two {receiving yards