Bills' Bay Day Gives Patriots 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 potentially an American Football Conference East championship showdown
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League

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

Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?

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

Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer

The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display

MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses

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

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

Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just two plays

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year

The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East

In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place

TreVeyon Henderson running
Henderson clocked the fifth fastest speed in the NFL this season

Regarding the New England, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?

You can pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos

The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration

Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant

Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his side to success

The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score

Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills

Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay 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 is a long way to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise top seed in the AFC

Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown

Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in Los Angeles

Both have won four in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest

Each could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score

Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the NFL

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far

Player of the Week - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Jonathan Taylor is pursuing several rushing and scoring milestones

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

Mary Hernandez
Mary Hernandez

Maya is a tech enthusiast and gaming journalist with a passion for exploring emerging digital trends and innovations.