Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the NFL
That result may have opened things up for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have served up 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 need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three different eight and two teams in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the best?
One could pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight victories, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to success
The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored forty points to reach seven and two before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game
Each could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats occurred in overtime 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 touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the best sides in the NFL
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards