Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
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
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the league's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?
One could pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses came in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his team to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie running back Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his first score
Although you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different eight and two teams are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each scored forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA
Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game
Both could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards