Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action

The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many fans into the NFL

This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two competitors

Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer

The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and display

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences

Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average

Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just two plays

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year

The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East

Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three eight and two teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?

One could find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver

Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo seems like a declaration

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

Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his team to victory

The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22mph this year on his first score

Although you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record due to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against Buffalo

Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a long way to travel but the door is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown

Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before next week's major meeting between the two in LA

Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a contest

Each could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score

Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly among the best sides in the NFL

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, registering three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards