🔗 Share this article

The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the NFL

That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their eight and two competitors

Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to address

The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and display

MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's top offences

Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns

Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard average

Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just later

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season

Miami have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place

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

You can pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Denver

The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement

Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was huge

Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves credit for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to success

The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting 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 Pats should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against the Bills

Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference

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

Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each put up forty points to go to 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles

They've both won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a contest

Both could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Rams 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 blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown

The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly among the best sides in the league

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

Player of the Week - Taylor

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