Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many people into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - 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 address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've seen this year
Miami have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different 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 the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his side to success
The defense is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three different eight and two sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each put up forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's major meeting between the two in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly among the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards