Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Route to Top Spot - Highlights of NFL Week 10

Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the NFL

This outcome may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors

Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address

The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences

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

Containing the NFL's top running game was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering 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 crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute drive yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just two plays

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this season

Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East

Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Unexpected First Place

Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three eight and two squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?

One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos

Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement

Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to victory

The defensive unit is solid and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown

Although you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills

Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but encounter the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list

The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to go but the door is available for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash

Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the two in Los Angeles

Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a game

Both could easily be undefeated as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown

Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL

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

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

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