Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that attracts so many fans into the NFL
This outcome could have created things up for the Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an edge over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to arrange a monster clash next week, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Could it simply have been an emotional letdown from defeating Kansas City last week or a deeper issue? This remains the question for the Buffalo team to answer
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening result - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - yes the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a significant failure laid by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but rusher Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Bottling up the league's best rushing attack was also key, with 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 crucial ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area meaning a nine minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter fumble that Miami turned into seven points just two plays
It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, getting into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, disciplined, well-balanced Bills we've seen this year
Miami have demonstrated a varied performances this year so the verdict is uncertain on if this is the beginning of something, but for Buffalo they'll need an instant response in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the New England are quietly moving into a nice lead at the top of the AFC East
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for feasting on the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined 24 victories achieved against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Colts beating the Denver
Denver defeated the champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the final quarter while Indianapolis can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England adding Sunday's win in Tampa to their prime time success in Buffalo seems like a statement
Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Mike Vrabel's first three games, with seven consecutive victories, similar to Denver, since then - but defeating Baker Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to prepare was huge
Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely deserves point for bravery after taking some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his side to victory
The defensive unit is reliable and rookie rusher TreVeyon Henderson exploded on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of 55 and 69 yards - becoming just the fifth runner to break 22mph this year on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to finish with the top record due to their schedule - which features just a single matchup against a winning team, although a huge one against Buffalo
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Kansas City to face two times, the Chargers (who could also compete for top seed but face the identical challenge) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule
The Indianapolis also play the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There is a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Both squads with solid claims to be better than all of the three different eight and two sides are NFC West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who each scored forty points to go to 7-2 ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defensive units giving up under 20 points a contest
Both could realistically be undefeated as too - particularly the Rams as their pair of losses came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning kick with the final play deflected and returned by the Philadelphia for a touchdown
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a last-minute score in week one, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are truly among the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 rushing yards, registering three touchdowns and contributing another forty-two {receiving yards
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