Bills' Disappointing Performance Opens Patriots Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10

The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many fans into the NFL

This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their eight and two competitors

Over in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?

Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to address

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

MVP 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 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's top offences

Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores

Bottling up the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average

Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-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 trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've seen this season

The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed

Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC teams, but are they the top team?

One could find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos

Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo seems like a declaration

Their pair of losses occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was huge

Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his team to victory

The defense is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown

While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills

Traveling to 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 compete for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Clash

Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three different eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up forty points to go to seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA

Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game

Both could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown

The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL

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

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards