Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened things up for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from 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 converted to seven points just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're among three eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Denver
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely deserves credit for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored forty points to go to seven and two before next week's major meeting between the two in LA
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially 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 the opening week, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing another 42 {receiving yards