Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL
This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season
The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to victory
The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
While you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and also 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 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two before next week's major meeting between the pair in LA
They've both won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a contest
Each could easily be undefeated as well - 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 game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown 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 most exciting of the year so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards