Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action

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 huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that attracts so many people into the NFL

That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors

Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Josh Allen in action
Was Josh Allen attempt too much or was it just a bad day for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address

The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display

MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences

Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard season average

Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to seven points just later

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - not the calm, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season

Miami 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 the Bills they'll require an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East

Spotlight - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed

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

Regarding the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the best?

One could find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins achieved against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos

Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a statement

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

Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to success

The defense is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score

Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills

Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC

Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown

Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in Los Angeles

They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game

Each could realistically be undefeated as well - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score

Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the league

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year to date

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

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

Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and adding another 42 {receiving yards

Ronald Cox
Ronald Cox

A storyteller and life coach who shares real-world experiences to empower others in their personal and professional journeys.