Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best 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' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
That result could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial 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 produced by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - not the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year 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 tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three eight and two teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive victories, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his team to victory
The defensive unit is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a long way to go but the door is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with solid claims 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 seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could realistically be undefeated as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards