Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives New England Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened things up for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
Miami have served up a varied performances 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 tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to success
The defense is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver 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 same problem) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each scored forty points to go to 7-2 before next week's major game between the two in LA
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game
Both could easily be undefeated as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks also lost 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 among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards