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

Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League

That result could have created things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors

Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?

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

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

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg laid by one of the NFL's best offenses

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

Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard season average

Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season

The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the top of the AFC East

Spotlight - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed

Speaking of the New England, they're among three 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the best?

You can find flaws in New England, the Broncos and the Colts really for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts defeating the Broncos

Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Orchard Park seems like a statement

Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was significant

Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly deserves credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his side to victory

The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score

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

Visiting Baltimore is also tough, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to go but the door is open for a surprise 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 different eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Rams, who both scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two before the upcoming major game between the pair in LA

They've both won four in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game

Both could realistically be undefeated as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Eagles for a score

The Seahawks also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely among the best sides in the NFL

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far

Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding another 42 {receiving yards