Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? This remains 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 emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the league's best running game was also key, with Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the top team?
One could find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Denver
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly deserves point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to reach seven and two before the upcoming major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could realistically be undefeated as well - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly two of the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards