🔗 Share this article

The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that attracts so many fans into the NFL

This outcome may have opened things up for the New England Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an edge over their 8-2 competitors

Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the MVP award

Analysis - Just a Bad Day for Buffalo?

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

The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and display

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's initial 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 massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences

Dolphins quarterback Tua threw two touchdowns but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores

Bottling up the NFL's top running game was also key, with Cook and company recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard average

Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Allen in particular. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute drive produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into a touchdown just later

It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year

The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the summit of the American Football Conference East

Spotlight - New England See Path to Unexpected First Place

Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different 8-2 squads in the NFL, all AFC teams, but are they the top team?

You can pick holes in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four victories coming against opponents with a winning record - and one example was the Colts beating the Denver

The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement

Their two defeats came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to prepare was huge

Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns credit for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to success

The defensive unit is reliable and first-year rusher TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene on Sunday with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score

Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just a single matchup against a successful opponent, although 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 Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also challenge for first place but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seahawks, San Francisco and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a long way to travel but the opportunity is open for a surprise number one position in the AFC

Next Week - 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 opponents the Seattle and Rams, who each scored forty points to reach 7-2 before the upcoming major meeting between the two in LA

Both have secured four victories in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Darnold playing at an elite level (although Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up fewer than twenty points a game

Both could realistically be without a loss as well - particularly the Rams as their two defeats occurred in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning kick with the last kick blocked and returned 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 contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL

The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far

Player of the Week - Taylor

Taylor could be on for a record season after his incredible display in Germany - rushing for 244 yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards