🔗 Share this article

Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL

This outcome could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors

Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to address

The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance

MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's best offenses

Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores

Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard season average

Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just later

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year

The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on whether this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

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

One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park seems like a statement

Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge

Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his side 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 runner to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown

While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo

Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the schedule

The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Clash

Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up forty points to reach 7-2 before the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA

Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest

Each could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown

Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the NFL

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

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

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