Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, 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 opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer 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 last week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates 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 critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're one of three eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his team to victory
The defensive unit is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22mph this season on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but encounter the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA
Both have won four in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a game
Each could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick blocked and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are truly two of the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards