Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best 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 fans into the NFL
That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back 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 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've seen this season
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're one of three eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total 24 victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22mph this year on his first score
While you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a long way to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a row, have signal callers 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 game
Each could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards