Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Route to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into seven points just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
Miami have served up a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the top team?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 victories achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Denver
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration
Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defensive unit is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Clash
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both scored forty points to reach seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA
Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Each could realistically be undefeated as well - especially the Rams 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 final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards