Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened things up for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to a touchdown just later
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 squads in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?
One could find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to success
The defense is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also compete for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of next week's major game between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a contest
Both could easily be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards