Buffalo's Bay Day Opens New England Route to Top Spot - Best of Week 10 NFL Action

Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League

That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals

Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer

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

MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses

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

Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average

Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to seven points just later

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year

The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but are they the top team?

You can find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their combined 24 wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Denver

Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Orchard Park seems like a declaration

Their two defeats occurred in new head coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight victories, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge

Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns point for courage after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his side to success

The defensive unit is reliable and rookie running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown

While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills

Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the schedule

The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to contend with. There is a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the AFC

Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Week 11 Showdown

Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who each put up forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles

Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a game

Both could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal 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 two of the best sides in the NFL

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

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

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