Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
That result could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP 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? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the New England, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?
One could find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves point for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to victory
The defensive unit is solid and first-year rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, although a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both scored forty points to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA
Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could easily be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
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 game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards