Bills' Bay Day Gives 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 week 15 for what could be an American Football Conference East championship showdown
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The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL

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

Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

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 defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer

The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display

MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses

Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns

Bottling up the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average

Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just two plays

It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season

The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East

Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed

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

Speaking of the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the best?

One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total 24 wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Denver

The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration

Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge

Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves credit for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to victory

The defense is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22mph this season on his first score

Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo

Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule

The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a long way to go but the door is open for a shock top seed in the AFC

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Clash

Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to reach 7-2 before next week's major meeting between the pair in LA

Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest

Each could realistically be undefeated as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score

The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly two of the top teams in the NFL

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

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Taylor is pursuing several rushing and touchdown milestones

Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards

Christopher Russell
Christopher Russell

Elara is a gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering esports and indie game development, known for her analytical reviews.