Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were outperformed 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 initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have served up a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the best?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, 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 positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive victories, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely deserves credit for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his team to success
The defense is reliable and first-year rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a long way to go but the door is available for a shock top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both scored forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and returned by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of 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
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards