🔗 Share this article

The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL

That result may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors

Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer

The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening 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 Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses

Tua Tagovailoa passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns

Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard season average

Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just two plays

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - not the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year

The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East

In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed

Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the best?

One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos

Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime win in Buffalo seems like a statement

Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive victories, just like the Broncos, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns point for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to success

The defense is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22mph this year on his first score

Although you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against Buffalo

Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule

The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference

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

Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles

Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a game

Each could realistically be undefeated as too - especially the Rams as their pair of losses came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score

The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly two of the top teams in the NFL

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

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, scoring three scores and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards