Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Route to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen and Drake Maye will meet in the fifteenth week for potentially an AFC East championship showdown
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many fans into the NFL

This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors

Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the 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 MVP award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Josh Allen in action
Did Josh Allen try too much or was it just a poor performance for the Bills?

Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address

The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and display

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - yes 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 rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores

Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard average

Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just later

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year

The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East

In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed

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

Regarding the New England, they're among three 8-2 squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?

You can find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Broncos

Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a statement

Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was significant

Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his side to success

The defensive unit is reliable and first-year 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 runner to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown

While you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills

Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the door is open for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown

Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA

They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game

Both could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly two of the best sides in the NFL

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

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Taylor is chasing down multiple rushing and touchdown records

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards

Katie Peters
Katie Peters

A passionate casino enthusiast with over a decade of experience in online gaming and slot analysis.