Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - admittedly Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've seen this year
Miami have served up a varied performances this year 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 tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC teams, but are they the best?
You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to success
The defense is solid and rookie rusher Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his first score
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the AFC
Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Clash
Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each put up forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major game between the two in LA
Both have won four in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Each could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and returned by the Eagles for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Top Performer - Taylor
Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards