🔗 Share this article

The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many fans 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 schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two competitors

Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is chasing records 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 last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to address

The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and display

MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses

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

Containing the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard average

Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just two plays

It was classic '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 rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season

Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East

Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

Regarding the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?

You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement

Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was huge

Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to victory

The defense is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to break 22mph this year on his initial touchdown

Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against Buffalo

Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who could also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the schedule

The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC

Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Clash

Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in Los Angeles

Both have won four in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest

Each could easily be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the NFL

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

Top Performer - Taylor

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