Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results 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 - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last 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 Miami but were second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' 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 - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins 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 need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC teams, but are they the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to victory
The defense is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon 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 ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both put up forty points to reach 7-2 before next week's major meeting between the two in LA
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly 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
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards