Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen and Drake Maye are scheduled to face in the fifteenth week for what could be an AFC East title decider
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL

That result may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals

Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Josh Allen in action
Did Josh Allen attempt too much or was it just a poor performance for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to answer

The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and performance

MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses

Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores

Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average

Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just later

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year

The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

TreVeyon Henderson running
TreVeyon Henderson recorded the fifth quickest speed in the NFL this year

Regarding the New England, they're among three different eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?

One could find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo seems like a statement

Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down 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 credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to victory

The defensive unit is solid and rookie running back Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to break 22mph this year on his initial touchdown

Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills

Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list

The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a long way to travel but the door is available for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown

Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who both scored forty points to reach seven and two ahead of next week's major game between the two in Los Angeles

Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a game

Both could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

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

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

Angela Miranda
Angela Miranda

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in casino gaming and slot machine strategy development.