Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10

The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL

This outcome may have opened things up for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their eight and two rivals

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

The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to address

The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and display

MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - admittedly Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's best offenses

Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores

Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard average

Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the end zone meaning a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just later

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season

Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers 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

Regarding the New England, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?

You can find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Orchard Park seems like a statement

Their pair of losses came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant

Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to victory

The defense is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22mph this season on his initial touchdown

Although you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo

Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a surprise top seed in the AFC

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Clash

Two teams with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up forty points to reach 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA

They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest

Each could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly 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 field goal with the last kick blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown

The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the best sides in the league

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

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards