Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - admittedly Miami had ten days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's top offences
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 crucial too, with James Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're among three different eight and two teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?
One could find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his side to success
The defense is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each put up forty points to go to seven and two before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest
Both could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards