Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation 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?
Was it just an emotional comedown 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 Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen attempting 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 demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the best?
One could find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight wins, similar to the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defense is solid and rookie running back Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to travel but the door is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a game
Both could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding another forty-two {receiving yards