Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than 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 scoring area meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was typical '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 from the situation - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have served up a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined 24 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive victories, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was huge
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to success
The defense is solid and first-year running back 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 different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a long way to go but the door is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each put up forty points to reach seven and two before the upcoming major game between the two in LA
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game
Both could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards