Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
That result could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - not the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've seen this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're among three 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to victory
The defense is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
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 could also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There is a long way to go but the door is available for a shock top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks 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 opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before the upcoming major game between the pair in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick blocked and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards