Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many people into the National Football League
This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - not the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're one of three eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?
You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined 24 victories coming against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defense is solid and first-year running back Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a long way to travel but the door is available for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major game between the two in LA
They've both won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats 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 deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards