Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens New England Route to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
That result could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard season 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 meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - not the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the New England, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime win in Buffalo seems like a declaration
Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his team to success
The defense is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a long way to travel but the door is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Clash
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each scored forty points to go to 7-2 before next week's major meeting between the two in LA
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Both could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred 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 deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards