Bills' Bay Day Opens Patriots Path to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10

The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that attracts so many people into the National Football League

This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors

Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?

Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to answer

The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and performance

MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's top offences

Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns

Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard average

Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just later

It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year

The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

Regarding the New England, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC sides, but could they be 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 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver

Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration

Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was significant

Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to guide his team 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 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to break 22 miles per hour this season on his first score

Although you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo

Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule

The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference

Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Showdown

Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA

They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a contest

Each could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a score

Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the best sides in the league

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

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards