Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Route 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 Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League

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

Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award

The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer

The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and display

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was still a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's top offences

Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average

Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season

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 immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place

Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the top team?

You can find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 wins achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos

Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement

Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge

Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to success

The defense is solid and first-year running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score

Although you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo

Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Showdown

Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA

They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game

Both could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score

Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the top teams in the league

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year so far

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards