Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives New England Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many people into the NFL
That result may have opened things up for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to a touchdown just later
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - not the composed, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on if this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're among three eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?
You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his team to success
The defensive unit is solid and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the best record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different eight and two teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before the upcoming major meeting between the two in LA
Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards