Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Route to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many people into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into seven points just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out 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 nice lead at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his side to success
The defensive unit is solid and first-year running back Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22mph this year on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before the upcoming major meeting between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards