Buffalo's Bay Day Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen along with Drake Maye are scheduled to face in the fifteenth week for what could be an AFC East championship showdown
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL

That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals

Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Josh Allen in action
Was Josh Allen try too much or could it simply have been a bad day for Buffalo?

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

The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences

Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores

Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average

Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to seven points just two plays

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season

Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East

In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

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

Regarding the New England, they're among three eight and two squads in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?

You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos

Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a statement

Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was huge

Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to success

The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22mph this year on his first score

While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills

Traveling to 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 could also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the schedule

The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the AFC

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Showdown

Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's major meeting between the two in Los Angeles

Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game

Both could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown

The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly two of the top teams in the league

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 pursuing multiple rushing and touchdown records

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

Kristie James
Kristie James

Environmental scientist with 15 years of field research experience, specializing in climate adaptation and sustainable ecosystems.