Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives New England Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo 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 New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes 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 rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
Miami have served up a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain 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 in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the New England, they're among three different eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to success
The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22mph this year on his first score
While you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to reach 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the top teams in the league
The upcoming game 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 record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three scores and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards