Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season 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 pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to seven points just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three different eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive victories, similar to the Broncos, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his first score
While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There is a long way to travel but the door is open for a shock number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the two in LA
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Each could easily be undefeated as well - particularly the Rams 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 kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards