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

The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League

That result may have opened things up for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their eight and two rivals

Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to answer

The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced 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 rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and slightly more than half their 161.5 yard average

Additionally there were the three crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just later

It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this season

Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC teams, but are they the best?

You can pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their total twenty-four victories coming against teams with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver

Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration

Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, just like Denver, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to prepare was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to success

The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to exceed 22mph this year on his first score

Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against Buffalo

Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

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

Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Week 11 Clash

Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both scored forty points to reach 7-2 before the upcoming major game between the pair in Los Angeles

They've both secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defenses allowing fewer than twenty points a contest

Both could easily be undefeated as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the best sides in the NFL

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

Player of the Week - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, registering three scores and contributing another 42 {receiving yards