Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10

Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL

This outcome may have opened things up for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals

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

The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to address

The Bills had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance

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

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

Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average

Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just two plays

It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - not the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season

The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the top team?

One could find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 wins coming against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Denver

Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a statement

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

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns point for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to victory

The defensive unit is reliable and rookie rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22mph this season on his first score

While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, although a huge one against the Bills

Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the schedule

The Colts also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There's a long way to go but the door is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown

Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in Los Angeles

Both have secured four victories in a row, 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 top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game

Each could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick blocked and returned by the Eagles for a score

Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the best sides 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 might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three scores and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards