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

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen along with Drake Maye will meet in the fifteenth week for what could be an American Football Conference East title decider
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL

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

Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones 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 was it just a poor performance for Buffalo?

Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to answer

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

MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's best offenses

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

Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average

Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone 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 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year

Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East

Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

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

Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different eight and two squads in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the top team?

One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total 24 wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos

Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park seems like a statement

Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant

Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves credit for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his side to success

The defense is solid and rookie running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown

While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record due to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo

Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list

The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash

Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the pair in Los Angeles

Both have won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a contest

Each could easily be undefeated as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a score

Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the league

The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Jonathan Taylor is pursuing multiple rushing and touchdown milestones

Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards

Craig Richardson
Craig Richardson

A tech journalist and software developer with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and digital trends.