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The tenth week once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Buffalo Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the NFL

That result may have opened opportunities 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 eight and two rivals

Meanwhile in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award

The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?

Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to address

The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an eye-opening result - and performance

MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - yes the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a significant failure laid by one of the league's best offenses

Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but rusher Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 total yards and two scores

Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and company registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard season average

Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute drive yielded no points, and his final quarter fumble that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just two plays

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

The Dolphins have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on whether this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East

In Focus - New England See Path to Surprise Top Seed

Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three eight and two teams in the league, all American Football Conference sides, but are they the top team?

One could pick holes in New England, Denver and the Colts actually for dominating the lesser sides, with just five of their total 24 wins achieved against teams with a positive record - and one of those was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver

The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are masters of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their primtime win in Buffalo seems like a declaration

Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but taking down Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was huge

Maye's MVP claims continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his side to success

The defensive unit is reliable and rookie running back Henderson exploded on game day with 147 yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different ball carrier to break 22 miles per hour this year on his first score

While you can argue who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against Buffalo

Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but the Broncos have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to play twice, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and also the Packers on the schedule

The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is open for a shock top seed in the AFC

Coming Up - Los Angeles and Seattle Set for Next Week Showdown

Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three 8-2 sides are National Football Conference West opponents the Seattle and Los Angeles, who both put up forty points to reach seven and two before the upcoming major game between the two in LA

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

Both could realistically be without a loss as too - particularly the Rams as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the last kick blocked and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they are truly two of the best sides in the league

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

Top Performer - Taylor

Taylor might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Germany - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three scores and adding another forty-two {receiving yards