🔗 Share this article

The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League

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

Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to answer

The Buffalo squad had won seven in a row against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences

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

Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average

Then there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to a touchdown just two plays

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to rescue his squad from the situation - not the composed, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year

The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances 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 Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

Speaking of the New England, they're one of three different 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?

One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their combined twenty-four victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Denver

The Broncos beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo seems like a declaration

Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his side to success

The defense is reliable and first-year rusher Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score

While you can debate who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills

Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a long way to go but the door is available for a surprise number one position in the AFC

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown

Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the pair in Los Angeles

They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game

Both could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick blocked and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown

Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly two of the best sides in the league

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the season to date

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three scores and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards