Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen and Drake Maye are scheduled to face in the fifteenth week for potentially an American Football Conference East championship showdown
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the NFL

That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals

Over 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 chasing records as well as the MVP award

The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Josh Allen in action
Was Josh Allen try too much or could it simply have been a bad day for the Bills?

Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer

The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and display

MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses

Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores

Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard average

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

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season

The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on whether this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East

Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

TreVeyon Henderson running
Henderson clocked the fifth quickest speed in the NFL this season

Regarding the Patriots, they're among three different eight and two teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?

You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Denver

The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a statement

Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge

Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to victory

The defense is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his first score

While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills

Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the schedule

The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There's a long way to travel but the door is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown

Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA

They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game

Each could realistically be undefeated as well - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the league

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far

Player of the Week - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Taylor is pursuing several rushing and touchdown milestones

Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards

Michael Watkins
Michael Watkins

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