Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives New England Path to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen and Drake Maye will meet in week 15 for what could be an American Football Conference East championship showdown
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' 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 leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals

Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Josh Allen in action
Was Josh Allen attempt too much or could it simply have been a poor performance for the Bills?

Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address

The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and display

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

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

Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average

Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to seven points just later

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, 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 if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed

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

Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the top team?

You can find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos

The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a statement

Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his team to victory

The defensive unit is solid and rookie running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score

Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo

Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list

The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jaguars to face. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the AFC

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown

Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to go to seven and two before next week's major meeting between the two in Los Angeles

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 game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a contest

Both could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a score

The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the top teams in the NFL

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year to date

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Jonathan Taylor is pursuing multiple rushing and touchdown records

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards

Maria Freeman
Maria Freeman

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