Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Route to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts 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 gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash in week 11, 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 letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to prepare but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 squads in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the best?
You can find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive victories, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his side to victory
The defense is reliable and first-year rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the door is open for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each put up forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the two in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards