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 people into the National Football League
That result could have created things up for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Over in the NFC the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a monster clash next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team emerged as 30-13 winners in an surprising result - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only got the squad's opening first down in the third quarter and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly the Dolphins had ten days to get ready but it was nonetheless a massive egg produced by one of the NFL's top offences
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was also key, with Cook and company registering just 86 yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard average
Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the pair from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the end zone resulting in a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his final quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins turned into seven points just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad out of it - not the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
The Dolphins have served up a bit of everything this season so the jury's out on if this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the New England are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East
Regarding 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?
You can pick holes in the Patriots, Denver and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the lesser sides, with only five of their total twenty-four victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their prime time success in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight victories, just like the Broncos, since then - but defeating Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a bye to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials continue to be discussed, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to victory
The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to finish with the top record thanks to their schedule - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a significant contest against Buffalo
Traveling to Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West division with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who could also compete for first place but encounter the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the fixture list
The Colts also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the five and four Jaguars to contend with. There is a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seattle and Los Angeles, who each scored forty points to reach 7-2 before next week's major game between the two in Los Angeles
Both have secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could easily be without a loss as too - 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 game-winning field goal with the last kick deflected and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before falling to the last kick of the game against the Buccaneers - so they're truly among the best sides in the league
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the season so far
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Germany - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and adding another forty-two {receiving yards
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