Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10

The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the NFL

That result could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals

Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?

Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? 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 Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences

Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard average

Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to seven points just later

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season

The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed

Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?

You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their combined 24 victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park seems like a declaration

Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge

Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to guide his team to success

The defensive unit is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22mph this year on his first score

Although you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo

Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list

The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the AFC

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

Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles

They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a contest

Both could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown

Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the top teams in the league

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

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards