Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen and Drake Maye are scheduled to face in the fifteenth week for potentially an AFC East title decider
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL

That result may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 competitors

Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Josh Allen in action
Did Josh Allen attempt too much or could it simply have been a bad day for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to address

The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance

MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to get ready but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's top offences

Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Bottling up the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average

Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to seven points just two plays

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season

Miami have served up a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East

Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

TreVeyon Henderson running
TreVeyon Henderson recorded the fifth fastest velocity in the NFL this season

Speaking of the New England, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the top team?

You can pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Denver

Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement

Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to victory

The defensive unit is solid and rookie running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22mph this season on his first score

Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against Buffalo

Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash

Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different eight and two sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each put up forty points to reach seven and two before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles

Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew 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 under 20 points a game

Both could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the league

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Jonathan Taylor is chasing down several running and scoring milestones

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

Donald Grant
Donald Grant

Maya is a digital strategist with over a decade of experience in tech innovation and business development across Europe.