Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on whether this is the start of something, 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 nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns credit for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22mph this year on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers 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 shock top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each scored forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's major game between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards