Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives New England Path to Top Spot - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action

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

This outcome may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 competitors

Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address

The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed 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 initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the league's best offenses

Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Bottling up the league's best running game was also key, with Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard average

Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami converted to a touchdown just two plays

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - rather than the calm, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've seen this season

The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the summit of the AFC East

Spotlight - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place

Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three different eight and two teams in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?

You can pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo appears to be a statement

Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was huge

Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to victory

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

While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills

Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown

Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 teams are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored forty points to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA

Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game

Each could easily be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the last kick blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score

Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL

The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date

Top Performer - Taylor

Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards