Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL
That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season
Miami have served up 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 need an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 victories coming against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was huge
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his team to success
The defense is reliable and first-year running back Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his first score
While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a long way to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the AFC
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming major game between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest
Both could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the top teams in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far
Player of the Week - Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards