🔗 Share this article

Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many fans into the National Football League

This outcome 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 provides them an edge over their 8-2 competitors

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

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address

The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - yes Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg 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 touchdowns

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

Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just later

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this year

Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East

In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the best?

One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver

The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a statement

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

Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to success

The defense is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22mph this season on his first score

Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo

Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the schedule

The Colts also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a shock top seed in the AFC

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash

Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles

Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a contest

Both could easily be without a loss as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score

The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the league

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

Top Performer - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards