Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10

Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League

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

Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer

The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's top offences

Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average

Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from 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 Miami turned into seven points just later

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've seen this season

Miami have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East

Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the best?

You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their total twenty-four wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos

Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a statement

Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to victory

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

Although you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the best record due to their schedule - which features just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo

Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash

Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both scored forty points to reach seven and two before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in Los Angeles

They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a contest

Each could realistically be undefeated as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score

The Seahawks 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 league

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

Player of the Week - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards