🔗 Share this article

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

This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 competitors

Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange 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 the Bills?

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

The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance

MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses

Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores

Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5-yard season average

Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just later

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season

Miami have demonstrated 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 require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East

Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

Regarding the New England, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?

One could pick holes in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total 24 victories coming against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos

The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Buffalo seems like a declaration

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

Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his side to success

The defensive unit is solid and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score

Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record due to their schedule - which features just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against Buffalo

Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list

The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a long way to travel but the door is open for a shock top seed in the AFC

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

Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before the upcoming major 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 Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game

Each could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses 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 returned by the Philadelphia 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 game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL

The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far

Top Performer - Taylor

Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards