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Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many people into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an edge over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Analysis - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Was it just an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Bills to address
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the pair from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that Miami converted to seven points just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the start of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers 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 Unexpected First Place
Speaking of the New England, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total 24 victories coming against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis beating the Denver
Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can rely on Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but persevering to steer his team to success
The defense is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22mph this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There is a long way to go but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two before next week's major game between the pair in LA
Both have secured four victories in a row, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a contest
Both could easily be undefeated as well - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning kick with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly among the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season to date
Top Performer - Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards
