Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Best of NFL Week 10

The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many fans into the National Football League

This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals

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

The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

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

The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games 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 achieved the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - admittedly Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences

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

Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with James 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 crucial turnovers, 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 dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into seven points just later

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team from the situation - not the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this year

Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the start of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East

In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

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

One could pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their combined 24 wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver

The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo seems like a statement

Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant

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

The defense is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22mph this season on his initial touchdown

While you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which features just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against the Bills

Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list

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

Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Clash

Both squads 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 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles

They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, 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 game

Each could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco 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 touchdown

Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely among the top teams in the league

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, registering three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards