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

Quarterbacks in action
Josh Allen and Drake Maye will meet in week 15 for what could be an AFC East title decider
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The tenth week again delivered, with a huge upset for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the NFL

This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors

Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award

The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Josh Allen in action
Was Josh Allen attempt too much or could it simply have been a poor performance for Buffalo?

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

The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 victors in an surprising result - and performance

MVP Josh Allen only got the squad's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses

Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average

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

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - rather than the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year

The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances 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 tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East

Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

TreVeyon Henderson running
Henderson clocked the fifth fastest speed in the NFL this year

Regarding the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 squads in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the top team?

You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis really for feasting on the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver

Denver beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time win in Buffalo seems like a declaration

Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive victories, just like Denver, since then - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his side to victory

The defense is solid and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown

While you can argue who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against Buffalo

Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for top seed but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, 49ers and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Clash

Both squads with strong arguments to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the pair in Los Angeles

Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses giving up fewer than twenty points a game

Each could realistically be undefeated as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in overtime against the San Francisco and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Eagles for a score

The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL

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

Top Performer - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor running
Jonathan Taylor is pursuing several running and touchdown records

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional 42 {receiving yards

Ethan Pineda
Ethan Pineda

A Berlin-based travel writer and cultural enthusiast with over a decade of experience exploring Europe's vibrant cities and countryside.