Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL
That result could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're among three eight and two squads in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to guide his team to success
The defense is solid and first-year rusher Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a winning team, although a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing 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 easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly two of the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards