🔗 Share this article

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

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

Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

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

The Bills had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses

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

Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard season average

Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just later

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've seen this season

The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back 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 - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed

Regarding the New England, they're one of three eight and two teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?

You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their combined 24 victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Denver

The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding 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 Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was significant

Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to guide his team to success

The defense is reliable and first-year rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to exceed 22mph this year on his first score

While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo

Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list

The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Showdown

Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to go to seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in LA

Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a contest

Each could easily be undefeated as well - especially the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the top teams in the league

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

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

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