Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just 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 secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to seven points just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely deserves point for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to success
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but encounter the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a shock number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each put up 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the two in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game
Each could easily be undefeated as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly two of the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards