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

Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many people 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 used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two rivals

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

Analysis - Just a Bad 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 Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences

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

Bottling up the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard season average

Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just later

It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season

Miami have served up a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East

Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the best?

You can find flaws in New England, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 wins achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos

The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a statement

Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive victories, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was significant

Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to victory

The defense is solid and rookie running back TreVeyon 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 runner to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score

While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills

Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Showdown

Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored forty points to reach 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA

They've both won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest

Each could realistically be undefeated as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score

Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the best sides in the NFL

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season so far

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

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