Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
That result could have created things up for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer 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 beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa passed for 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 rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the New England, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the best?
You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Denver
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to success
The defense is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the best 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 also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different eight and two teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Each could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and returned by the Eagles for a score
Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards