🔗 Share this article

The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the NFL

That result could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their 8-2 rivals

Over 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 chasing records as well as the MVP award

The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address

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

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's initial first down in the third period and first points in the fourth - yes Miami had 10 days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses

Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns

Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard average

Then there were the three crucial ball losses, 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 Miami converted to seven points just later

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a deficit on defense and Josh Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year

Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed

Regarding the New England, they're among three different 8-2 squads in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the top team?

One could pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four victories achieved against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Broncos

Denver beat the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration

Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's first three contests, with seven straight victories, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant

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

The defensive unit is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of 55 and 69 yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different runner to break 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown

While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills

Visiting the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete 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 games with the 5-4 Jaguars to face. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the AFC

Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Week 11 Showdown

Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different eight and two sides are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the pair in LA

Both have won four in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold performing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a game

Both could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

Seattle were also defeated to the 49ers, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the top teams in the league

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

Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor

Taylor might be on for a record season after his incredible display in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding another 42 {receiving yards