Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many people into the NFL
That result may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's 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 Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Denver
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to victory
The defense is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens 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 compete for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There is a long way to go but the door is available for a shock top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two before next week's major game between the two in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game
Both could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss 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 late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards