Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the NFL
That result may have opened things up for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes 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?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - not the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
Miami have served up a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 victories coming against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to success
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major game between the two in LA
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Both could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three scores and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards