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- By Kristen Spencer
- 17 May 2026
Week 10 again delivered, with a huge upset for the Bills proving the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the National Football League
This outcome could have created things up for the New England Patriots to move back into a top spot they used to occupy, with a schedule that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 competitors
Meanwhile in the NFC the Seahawks and Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash next week, while our top performer is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs the previous week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the start as the Miami team ran out 30-13 victors in an eye-opening outcome - and display
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the squad's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - admittedly Miami had ten days to prepare but it was nonetheless a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses
Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with Cook and company recording just eighty-six yards, their lowest of the season and just over half their 161.5 yard average
Additionally there were the three critical ball losses, and the two from Josh Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-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, falling into a deficit on defensive side and Allen attempting to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the calm, controlled, well-balanced Buffalo team we've seen this year
Miami have served up a varied performances this season so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for the Bills they'll require an immediate bounce-back in a difficult matchup against Tampa Bay in week 11 as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Speaking of the Patriots, they're one of three different eight and two squads in the NFL, all AFC sides, but could they be the best?
You can find flaws in the Patriots, Denver and the Colts really for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 wins coming against teams with a winning record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Broncos
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are kings of the final quarter while Indy can ride Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's win in Tampa to their primtime success in Orchard Park seems like a statement
Their pair of losses came in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven straight wins, similar to the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was significant
Drake Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he certainly earns credit for bravery after absorbing some hard tackles in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his team to victory
The defensive unit is solid and first-year running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth different runner to exceed 22 miles per hour this season on his initial touchdown
Although you can debate who 'the top team' is statistically, the Patriots should be favourites to end with the best record thanks to their schedule - which includes just a single matchup against a winning team, albeit a huge one against the Bills
Visiting Baltimore is challenging too, 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 challenge for top seed but face 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 matchups with the 5-4 Jacksonville to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the door is available for a shock top seed in the American Football Conference
Two teams with solid claims to be better than all of the three eight and two sides are NFC West opponents the Seattle and Rams, who both scored forty points to reach 7-2 before next week's major meeting between the pair in LA
They've both won four in a consecutive games, have quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an high standard (although Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a contest
Each could realistically be without a loss as well - especially the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in overtime against the 49ers and then that agonising loss in Philly when they had a potentially winning kick with the final play blocked and run back by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, with a last-minute score in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they are 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 might be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional 42 {receiving yards
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