🔗 Share this article

The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL

This outcome may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their eight and two rivals

Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to address

The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's best offenses

Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Bottling up the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average

Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to a touchdown just two plays

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - not the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year

Miami have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East

Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

Regarding the New England, they're one of three different eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?

One could pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 victories achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Denver

Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a statement

Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge

Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his side to victory

The defense is solid and rookie running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score

Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against Buffalo

Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also compete for first place but face the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a long way to go but the door is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference

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

Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each scored forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA

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

Each could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly among the best sides in the league

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

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards