Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10

The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL

That result may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals

Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address

The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the league's best offenses

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

Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard average

Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to a touchdown just two plays

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season

Miami have served up a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East

In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place

Speaking of the New England, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the NFL, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?

You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration

Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was huge

Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to success

The defense is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown

Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo

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

The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a shock top seed in the AFC

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare 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 each scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before next week's major meeting between the pair in LA

Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units 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 extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the league

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

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