Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the National Football League
This outcome may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a remaining games that provides them an edge over their eight and two competitors
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Was it just an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Buffalo squad had won seven in a consecutive games against Miami but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third period and first points in the final quarter - yes Miami had 10 days to prepare but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area meaning a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into a touchdown just two plays
It was classic 'previous Bills teams' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defense and Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this season
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the start of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East
Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 teams in the league, all AFC sides, but are they the top team?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their total twenty-four wins achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Colts beating the Broncos
The Broncos beat the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their primtime success in Buffalo appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Vrabel's first three games, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a bye to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he certainly earns point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to guide his team to success
The defensive unit is reliable and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to break 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
While you can argue who 'the top team' is technically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, although a huge one against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the identical challenge) and also the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three 8-2 sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who each scored 40 burgers to go to seven and two ahead of next week's major game between the pair in Los Angeles
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing fewer than twenty points a game
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play blocked and returned by the Philadelphia for a score
The Seahawks were also defeated to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in week one, before losing to the final play of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly two of the best sides in the league
The upcoming game on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season to date
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards
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