Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying 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 formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player 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 Bills to address
The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just later
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 victories coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely deserves point for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his side to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record due to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a long way to go but the door is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored 40 burgers to reach seven and two before next week's major game between the two in LA
Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could easily be undefeated as too - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards