Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?
You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their combined 24 victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to success
The defensive unit is solid and rookie running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but encounter the same problem) 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 Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both scored forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards