Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen and Drake Maye will meet in the fifteenth week for potentially an American Football Conference East title decider
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The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans into the National Football League

That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors

Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award

The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

Josh Allen in action
Did Josh Allen try too much or was it just a bad day for Buffalo?

Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer

The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and performance

MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's top offences

Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores

Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard average

Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into seven points just two plays

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year

The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East

In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place

TreVeyon Henderson running
Henderson clocked the fifth quickest speed in the league this year

Regarding the New England, they're among three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?

You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos

Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration

Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant

Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his side to success

The defense is reliable and first-year running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown

Although you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which features 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 with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list

The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference

Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Showdown

Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each put up forty points to reach 7-2 before next week's major game between the pair in LA

Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a contest

Each could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick deflected and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown

The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the NFL

The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Taylor is pursuing multiple running and touchdown milestones

Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards

Nicholas Petersen
Nicholas Petersen

A professional gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casino strategy and game mechanics.