Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives New England Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action

The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League

That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals

Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?

Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address

The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses

Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores

Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5 yard average

Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just two plays

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - not the composed, disciplined, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year

The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East

Spotlight - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed

Regarding the New England, they're among three different eight and two squads in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?

One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a positive 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 ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration

Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive victories, similar to the Broncos, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely deserves point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to victory

The defensive unit is solid and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his first score

While you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills

Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list

The Colts also play the Kansas City, 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 available for a shock top seed in the AFC

Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Showdown

Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to go to 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA

Both have won four in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a contest

Both could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play 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

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

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