🔗 Share this article

The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans into the National Football League

This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals

Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to address

The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's best offenses

Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores

Containing the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average

Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to a touchdown just later

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this season

Miami have served up a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East

In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

Regarding the New England, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the top team?

You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration

Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his side to victory

The defense is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown

While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills

Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list

The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC

Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Clash

Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the two in Los Angeles

Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game

Each could easily be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score

Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're truly among the top teams in the NFL

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

Player of the Week - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards