Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?
You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 wins achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his side to victory
The defense is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up forty points to go to 7-2 before the upcoming major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - 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 - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards