🔗 Share this article

Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League

This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals

Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award

The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to address

The Buffalo squad 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 result - and display

MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses

Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Bottling up the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard season average

Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just two plays

It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've seen this season

Miami have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East

Spotlight - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place

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

One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 victories achieved against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver

The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a declaration

Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was significant

Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to success

The defense is solid and rookie rusher Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown

Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo

Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list

The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference

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

Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both put up forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA

They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a game

Each could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown

The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the top teams in the NFL

The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date

Top Performer - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards