Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL
That result could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly Miami had ten days to get ready but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to seven points just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his team to success
The defense is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22mph this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different eight and two sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of next week's major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a game
Both could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick deflected and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely 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 could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards