Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL
That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation 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?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just later
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills 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 American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the New England, they're one of three different eight and two teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the best?
One could find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined 24 wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to success
The defense is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three eight and two sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both scored forty points to reach seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Both could easily be undefeated as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards