🔗 Share this article

Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League

That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals

Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to answer

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

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's best offenses

Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns

Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average

Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - not the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year

Miami have served up a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East

In Focus - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?

One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos

Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a declaration

Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was significant

Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his team to success

The defense is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown

While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills

Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the fixture list

The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC

Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown

Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored forty points to reach 7-2 before the upcoming major game 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 Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a contest

Both could easily be undefeated as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly two of the top teams in the league

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

Player of the Week - Taylor

Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards