🔗 Share this article

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

That result could have created things up for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals

Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day 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 answer

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

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved 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 nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's top offences

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

Bottling up the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard average

Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just later

It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - not the composed, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this season

The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East

In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

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

You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Denver

Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a declaration

Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was huge

Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his team to victory

The defensive unit is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns 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

Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against Buffalo

Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a long way to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown

Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to go to seven and two before next week's major game between the two in Los Angeles

Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a game

Each could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score

The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are truly 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 - Taylor

Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards