🔗 Share this article

The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League

This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 competitors

Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address

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

MVP Josh Allen only got the team's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses

Tua Tagovailoa passed for two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores

Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average

Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into seven points just two plays

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this season

Miami have served up a varied performances this year so the jury's out on whether this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

Regarding the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?

You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 victories achieved against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a declaration

Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge

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

The defense is solid and rookie rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown

While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills

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

The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown

Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before next week's major meeting between the two in LA

They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest

Both could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Rams as their pair of losses came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score

Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly two of the top teams in the NFL

The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year to date

Top Performer - Taylor

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