Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League
That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but are they the top team?
You can find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their total twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to success
The defensive unit is solid and first-year rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but encounter the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards