Buffalo's Bay Day Gives Patriots Path to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen and Drake Maye will meet in week 15 for what could be an AFC East title decider
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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans 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 provides them an advantage over their eight and two rivals

Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Josh Allen in action
Did Josh Allen attempt too much or could it simply have been 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? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer

The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences

Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard average

Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just later

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, 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 whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East

Spotlight - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed

TreVeyon Henderson running
Henderson clocked the fifth quickest velocity in the NFL this season

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

One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total 24 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration

Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to victory

The defense is solid and first-year rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown

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

Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position 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 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to reach seven and two before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA

They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest

Each 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 game-winning kick with the last kick blocked and returned by the Eagles for a score

Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the top teams in the league

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date

Top Performer - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Jonathan Taylor is chasing down several running and touchdown milestones

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing another 42 {receiving yards

Curtis Hart
Curtis Hart

A tech enthusiast and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in software development and innovation consulting.