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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many people into the NFL

That result may have opened opportunities for the New England Patriots to creep back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their eight and two competitors

Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation next week, 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 letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to answer

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

MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses

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

Containing the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the year and just over half their 161.5-yard average

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

It was typical 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Bills we've seen this season

The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll need an instant response in a tough game against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the AFC East

Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

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

One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and the Colts really for feasting on the lesser sides, with just five of their combined 24 victories achieved against opponents with a winning record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos

Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime success in Buffalo seems like a statement

Their two defeats came in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge

Drake Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he definitely deserves point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa but hanging in there to steer his team to victory

The defense is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his first score

Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to finish with the best record due to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a winning team, although a significant contest against Buffalo

Traveling to the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

The Indianapolis also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There is a considerable distance to go but the door is available for a shock top seed in the AFC

Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown

Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two teams are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to go to seven and two ahead of the upcoming major meeting between the two in LA

They've both won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest

Both could easily be undefeated as too - especially the Los Angeles 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 final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of the top teams in the league

The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the year to date

Top Performer - Taylor

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