Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Route to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the 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 MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - 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 scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard season average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points 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 dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to victory
The defense is solid and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a long way to travel but the door is open for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Clash
Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to reach seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick deflected and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards