Buffalo's Disappointing Performance 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 potentially an AFC East championship showdown
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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many fans into the National Football League

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

Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

Josh Allen in action
Did Josh Allen attempt too much or could it simply have been a poor performance for the Bills?

Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address

The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and display

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

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

Containing the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard average

Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this season

Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on whether this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

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

Regarding the New England, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the best?

One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos

The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration

Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to victory

The defense is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his first score

While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against Buffalo

Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise top seed in the AFC

Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Clash

Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both scored forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's major meeting between the two in LA

Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a contest

Each could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown

Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly two of the top teams in the league

The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far

Top Performer - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Jonathan Taylor is chasing down multiple rushing and touchdown records

Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards

Rebekah Bryant
Rebekah Bryant

A seasoned slot gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino strategy and game mechanics.