Buffalo's Bay Day Opens Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Best of Week 10 NFL Action

The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that attracts so many fans into the National Football League

This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 competitors

Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles 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

The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for the Bills?

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

The Bills had won seven in a row against Miami but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and display

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses

Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns

Containing the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average

Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the end zone resulting in a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to seven points just two plays

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Allen trying to do too much to rescue his squad out of it - not the composed, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this season

Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a nice lead at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

Regarding the New England, they're one of three different eight and two teams in the league, all American Football Conference teams, but could they be the best?

You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver

Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a declaration

Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant

Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely earns credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to victory

The defense is solid and first-year rusher Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season 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 remaining opponents - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo

Traveling to Baltimore is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the same problem) and also the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC

Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Clash

Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are NFC West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each put up forty points to go to seven and two ahead of next week's Hollywood blockbuster game between the two in LA

Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest

Each could realistically be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick deflected and returned by the Eagles for a score

Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly among the best sides in the NFL

The upcoming game on Sunday could be the best of the year to date

Player of the Week - Taylor

Jonathan Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards