Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Route to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Over in the NFC the 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
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? 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 start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into a touchdown just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the top team?
You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to success
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a long way to go but the door is open for a shock top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each scored forty points to reach seven and two before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - especially the Rams 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
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing another 42 {receiving yards