Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on if this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're one of three different eight and two squads in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?
One could find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a long way to go but the door is available for a shock number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before next week's major game between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Eagles for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly two of the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards