Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens 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 proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL
That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 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 final quarter - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive 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 shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - not the calm, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 wins 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 Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his side to success
The defense is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his first score
While you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before next week's major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could realistically be undefeated as well - especially the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards