Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens 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 demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result may have opened things up for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the NFC 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 pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown 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 the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording 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 crucial turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 wins achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Denver
Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to success
The defense is reliable and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a successful opponent, although a huge one against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two ahead of next week's major game between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game
Both could realistically be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are truly among the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing another 42 {receiving yards