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

The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League

That result may have opened things up for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors

Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?

Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to address

The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the NFL's best offenses

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

Containing the league's best running game was also key, with Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average

Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession yielded no points, 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, falling into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this year

The Dolphins have served up a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East

Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

Speaking of the New England, they're among three different eight and two teams in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the top team?

One could find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts defeating the Denver

Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a statement

Their two defeats came in new head coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was huge

Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely deserves point for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to victory

The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown

While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills

Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who could also compete for first place but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the fixture list

The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference

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

Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA

Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game

Both could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown

The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the top teams in the league

The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far

Player of the Week - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding another forty-two {receiving yards