Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and 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 Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
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 answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 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 Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're among three eight and two teams in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined 24 wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defense is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs 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 fixture list
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a game
Both could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the best sides 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 historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards