Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen along with Drake Maye will meet in week 15 for potentially an American Football Conference East championship showdown
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many people into the National Football League

That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their eight and two rivals

Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award

The Breakdown - Just a Bad 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 Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and performance

MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's top offences

Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns

Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard season average

Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this season

The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place

TreVeyon Henderson running
TreVeyon Henderson recorded the fifth fastest speed in the league this year

Speaking of the New England, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?

You can find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts really for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined 24 wins achieved against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Denver

Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement

Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was huge

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 side to success

The defense is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this year on his first score

Although you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo

Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the door is available for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Clash

Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both scored forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in Los Angeles

They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game

Both could realistically be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score

The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the NFL

The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year to date

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
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 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards

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