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

The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League

This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to move back into a leading position 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 Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award

The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?

Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Bills to address

The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's top offences

Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two scores but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores

Bottling up the league's best running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard average

Then there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into seven points just two plays

It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the composed, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this season

Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed

Regarding the Patriots, they're among three eight and two squads in the NFL, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?

One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a statement

Their pair of losses came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge

Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns credit for courage after taking some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his side to victory

The defense is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown

Although you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against the Bills

Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list

The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the door is open for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown

Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in LA

They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest

Each could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown

The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the top teams in the NFL

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

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

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