Bills' 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' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
That result may have opened things up for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've seen this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their two defeats came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his side to success
The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22mph this season on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the best sides in the NFL
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 Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards