Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Route to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP 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 something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - admittedly Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but rusher 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 James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his team to success
The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the door is open for a shock number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Both could easily be undefeated as well - 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 kick with the last kick deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards