Buffalo's Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Path to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10

Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL

This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their eight and two rivals

Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash next week, while our player of the week 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 beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to address

The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the league's top offences

Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores

Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5 yard season average

Then there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just later

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Josh Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this year

Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC teams, but are they the top team?

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

Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a statement

Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge

Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly deserves point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to success

The defense is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his initial touchdown

While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favorites to end with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills

Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who might also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to travel but the door is open for a surprise number one position in the AFC

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Clash

Both squads with strong arguments to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored 40 burgers to reach 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in Los Angeles

Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest

Both could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Rams as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a score

The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the NFL

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date

Player of the Week - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards