Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - yes Miami had 10 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 scores but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a successful opponent, although a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a long way to go but the door is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both scored forty points to reach 7-2 before the upcoming major game between the pair in LA
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a contest
Both could easily be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick deflected and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly among the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards