Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen and Drake Maye are scheduled to face in week 15 for potentially an AFC East title decider
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Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the National Football League

This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals

Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Josh Allen in action
Did Josh Allen attempt too much or was it just a bad day for the Bills?

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

The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance

MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences

Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Bottling up the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average

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

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year

The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East

Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed

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

Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different eight and two squads in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the best?

You can find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos

Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a statement

Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant

Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to success

The defensive unit is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his initial touchdown

While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo

Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash

Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to go to 7-2 before next week's major game between the pair in Los Angeles

They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew 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 under 20 points a game

Each could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Eagles for a score

Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the best sides in the NFL

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

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Jonathan Taylor is chasing down several rushing and scoring records

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

Susan Clark
Susan Clark

Lena is a travel writer and urban photographer with a passion for documenting city life and sharing local insights.