Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many fans into the NFL
That result could have created things up for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to seven points just two plays
It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - not the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the best?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA
Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came 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 returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of 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 - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards