🔗 Share this article

Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the National Football League

This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two rivals

Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

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

The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance

MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly 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 passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Containing the NFL's top rushing attack 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 season average

Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just two plays

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season

The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?

You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Broncos

Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a statement

Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant

Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to success

The defense is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this year on his first score

While you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record due to their schedule - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo

Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the fixture list

The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash

Two teams with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different eight and two sides are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each scored forty points to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the two in LA

They've both secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a contest

Each could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score

The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the league

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

Top Performer - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards