🔗 Share this article

Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many fans into the National Football League

This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 competitors

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

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to address

The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display

MVP Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences

Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

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

Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays

It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year

Miami have served up a varied performances this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

Regarding the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?

You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a statement

Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely deserves point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to success

The defensive unit is solid and first-year running back Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to break 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown

While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo

Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and also the Packers on the fixture list

The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 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 Set for Week 11 Showdown

Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's major game between the pair in LA

They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game

Both could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score

The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL

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

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

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