Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
That result may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into seven points just later
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've seen this season
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different eight and two teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?
One could find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns point for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his team to success
The defensive unit is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22mph this year on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major game between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and run back by the Eagles for a score
Seattle 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 truly among the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding another forty-two {receiving yards