Buffalo's Bay Day Opens New England Path to AFC East Lead - Highlights of NFL Week 10

The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL

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

Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer

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

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

Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Containing the league's best running game was crucial too, with Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and just over fifty percent their 161.5-yard average

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

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team from the situation - not the calm, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've seen this season

Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East

Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?

One could pick holes in New England, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the lesser sides, with only five of their combined twenty-four wins coming against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos

Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a statement

Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to victory

The defense is reliable and first-year rusher Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown

While 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 one game against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo

Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Next Week Showdown

Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both put up 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the pair in LA

They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game

Each could realistically be without a loss as too - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in extra time against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick deflected and returned by the Philadelphia 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 game against the Buccaneers - so they are genuinely among the best sides in the league

The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far

Player of the Week - Taylor

Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 yards, registering three scores and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards