Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to Top Spot - 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 fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - 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 Bills to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. 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 later
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 out of it - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
One could find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his team to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his first score
While you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a long way to travel but the door is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to go to seven and two before next week's major game between the pair in LA
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game
Both could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are truly two of the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards