Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives New England Route to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10

The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League

That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 competitors

Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award

The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer

The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and display

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's top offences

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

Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard average

Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just two plays

It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the composed, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this year

Miami have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East

Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

Regarding the New England, they're among three eight and two teams in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the top team?

One could pick holes in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration

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

Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his team to success

The defensive unit is reliable and first-year rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown

Although you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills

Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock number one position in the AFC

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown

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

Both have won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game

Both could realistically 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 painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a score

Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the NFL

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far

Top Performer - Taylor

Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards