🔗 Share this article

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

That result could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals

Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address

The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and display

MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's top offences

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

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

Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to a touchdown just later

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season

The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this season 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 difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place

Regarding the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?

You can find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined 24 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Denver

The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo appears to be a statement

Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns credit for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to steer his team to success

The defense is solid and rookie running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown

While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against the Bills

Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list

The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash

Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles

Both have won four in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest

Both could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a score

Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL

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

Player of the Week - Taylor

Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards