Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen along with Drake Maye are scheduled to face in week 15 for what could be an AFC East title decider
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League

This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors

Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

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

Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer

The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and display

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences

Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores

Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard season average

Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just later

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year

Miami have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East

In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

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

Speaking of the New England, they're among three eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?

One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 victories coming against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos

The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a statement

Their two defeats came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was huge

Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely deserves point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to success

The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score

While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against Buffalo

Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the AFC

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown

Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles

They've both won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game

Both could easily be undefeated as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a score

The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are truly two of the top teams in the league

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

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Taylor is pursuing several rushing and scoring records

Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards

Kathryn Valdez
Kathryn Valdez

A tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering digital innovations and consumer electronics.