Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the NFL
That result may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last 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 victors in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes Miami had ten days to prepare but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require 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 American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC teams, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined 24 wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely deserves point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to success
The defense is solid and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to go to seven and two before the upcoming major meeting between the two in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could easily be undefeated as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards