Are the New England Patriots again the kings of the AFC East?
After five straight AFC East titles, the Buffalo Bills were supplanted by the Patriots in 2025, and New England aims for a repeat after bolstering their offense with wide receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs.
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But the Bills are hungry to get back on top of the division: Buffalo promoted former offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach and traded for veteran wideout DJ Moore to aid Josh Allen and the offense.
Not to be overlooked, the New York Jets reunited with quarterback Geno Smith and drafted as many as four new starters in the 2026 NFL Draft as they try to end their lengthy playoff drought.
Down in South Beach, the Miami Dolphins similarly overhauled their roster. Miami waved goodbye to Tua Tagovailoa, and other familiar faces and brought in defensive-minded head coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback in Malik Willis, who is in position to truly spark his career.
Who will win the AFC East this season? USA TODAY Sports examines the division and provides an early prediction.
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
July 26, 2025: NFL Network host Colleen Wolfe and analyst Isaiah Stanback interview Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer at training camp at the River Ridge Fields in Oxnard, California.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
July 26, 2025: NFL Network host Colleen Wolfe and analyst Isaiah Stanback interview Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer at training camp at the River Ridge Fields in Oxnard, California.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Oct. 28, 2024: NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo delivers pregame analysis before a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants at Acrisure Stadium.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Nov. 5, 2023: NFL Network broadcasters Kimmi Chex and Steve Smith Sr. pose during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
July 29, 2023: NFL Network host Chris Rose and analyst Brian Baldinger interview Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons and coach Mike McCarthy during training camp at the River Ridge Fields in Oxnard, California.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
April 27, 2023: NFL Networks hosts Colleen Wolfe and Kimmi Chex on stage during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station in Kansas City.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
March 2, 2023: NFL Network host Rhett Lewis, analyst Bucky Brooks and draft media analyst Lance Zierlein during the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
April 28, 2022: Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton with NFL Network reporter Melissa Stark after being selected as the 14th overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas.
(Gary Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Sept. 30, 2022: NFL Network reporter Stacey Dales interviews Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson at Hanbury Manor ahead of the team’s International Series game in London.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Sept. 27, 2018: Steve Mariucci, Reggie Bush and Kurt Warner on the NFL Network set before a game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Dec. 22, 2018: Chris Rose, Steve Smith Sr., LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Irvin on the NFL Network set before a game between the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Aug. 9, 2017: NFL Network commentator Steve Smith Jr. talks before a preseason game between the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium.
(Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Nov. 30, 2017: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is interviewed by NFL Network sideline reporter Heather Cox during a game against Washington at AT&T Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Oct. 27, 2016: The cast of NFL Network’s “Thursday Night Football” studio show talk before the Tennessee Titans’ game against Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium.
(Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Jan. 26, 2015: Melissa Stark, Deion Sanders and Kurt Warner smile during NFL Network broadcast at the NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Nov. 20, 2014: NFL Network broadcasters Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci and Michael Irvin before the “Thursday Night Football” game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
April 25, 2013: Leon Sandcastle of Primetime University arrives on the red carpet prior to the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Sandcastle was a character being played by Deion Sanders.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Jan. 23, 2013: Senior Bowl quarterback EJ Manuel of Florida State talks with NFL Network reporter Rebecca Haarlow a practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Jan. 6, 2013: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is interviewed by NFL Network reporter Stacy Dales after the Seahawks’ wild-card playoff win over Washington at FedEx Field.
(Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Nov. 14, 2013: Steve Mariucci and Michael Irvin on the NFL Network set before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans at LP Field.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Sept. 19, 2013: Rich Eisen, Deion Sanders, Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin on the NFL Network set before the “Thursday Night Football” game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Sept. 20, 2012: NFL Network TV announcers before a “Thursday Night Football” game at Bank of America Stadium.
(Bob Donnan, US PRESSWIRE)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Dec. 6, 2012: NFL Network reporter Alex Flanagan interviews Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning after the game against the Oakland Raiders at the O.co Coliseum. The Broncos defeated the Raiders, 26-13.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Dec. 13, 2012: NFL Network broadcasters Deion Sanders, Steve Mariucci and Marshall Faulk pose with Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Oct. 9, 2011: NFL Network reporter Sam Wyche interviews Oakland Raiders receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey after the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Texans, 25-20.
(Kirby Lee, US PRESSWIRE)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Dec. 24, 2011: NFL Network reporter Stacey Dales interviews Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer after a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 16-13 in overtime.
(Kirby Lee, US PRESSWIRE)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Sept. 19, 2010: Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is interviewed by NFL Network reporter Kara Hendeson during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium.
(Matthew Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Feb. 4, 2010: Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp and Jim Mora on the set for “NFL Total Access” taping at the Super Bowl XLIV media center at the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.
(Kirby Lee, US PRESSWIRE)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Dec. 28, 2009: NFL Network sideline reporter Michelle Beisner before the game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
(Kyle Terada, US PRESSWIRE)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Dec 4, 2008: Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, and Marshall Faulk of the NFL Network at a game between the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, US PRESSWIRE)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Nov. 29, 2007: Deion Sanders of NFL Network reports the action from the sidelines during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers at Texas Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas, US PRESSWIRE)
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ESPN acquires NFL Network. See the channel through the years
Aug. 5, 2007: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roetlisberger is interviewed by Adam Schefter of the NFL Network at the Hall of Fame Game at Fawcett Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, US PRESSWIRE)
Buffalo Bills
There’s a lot of “new” surrounding the Bills this season. The Bills have a new stadium, a new head coach and star quarterback Josh Allen is a new father. Will new beginnings bring more success? The Bills gave Allen, the fastest and youngest player in NFL history to reach 300 total touchdowns, another weapon in wide receiver DJ Moore.
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But Allen and head coach Joe Brady will ultimately be measured on postseason success. The Bills have reached the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons, but the franchise is still in search of a Super Bowl after four straight appearances in the early ’90s.
MORE: New dad Josh Allen calls Bills coaching change ‘necessary,’ touts diaper-changing skills
Miami Dolphins
The new-look Dolphins are undergoing a massive rebuild after Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb and Minkah Fitzpatrick all left the club. They didn’t all leave, however: the Dolphins did sign running back De’Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks to extensions.
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First-year head coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis are tasked with ushering a new era in Miami. Still, their roster is void of talent.
MORE: Tyreek Hill says he still has ‘no power’ in injured left leg
New England Patriots
The Patriots won’t have the luxury of a favorable schedule this year. New England has the sixth toughest strength of schedule based on opponents’ win percentage from a year ago. But the defending AFC champs did bolster their offense with the additions of wideouts A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, as well as linemen Caleb Lomu and Alijah Vera-Tucker. The Patriots ranked in the top 10 in total defense last year but were in the bottom half in pass rush win rate.
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CHRIS BUMBACA: A.J. Brown’s impact and 4 more unknowns as Patriots training camp opens
New York Jets
The Jets own the dubious record of the longest active postseason drought in major North American sports. The odds of the Jets earning their first playoff berth since 2010 aren’t good, but the squad looks better than last year. That may be helped by a promising rookie class consisting of edge David Bailey, TE Kenyon Sadiq, WR Omar Cooper Jr. and CB D’Angelo Ponds. Plus, the Jets decided to spin the block with quarterback Geno Smith, who they are hoping will bounce back after a poor season with the Las Vegas Raiders.
AFC East prediction: Patriots win second straight AFC East title
The Patriots’ schedule appears to be more difficult this year, but the team made some roster changes that should yield positive results. Going into the season, New England boasts the best receiving corps in the division and an improved offensive line. Defensively, the Patriots must improve on a sub-par pass rush. Edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones was brought in to help out in that department.
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The Patriots chief competition figures to be Bills. Brady, facing Super Bowl expectations, has a lot of pressure on him as he replaces the highly successful Sean McDermott. The Bills will go as far as Allen will take them, but the star QB does need some weight lifted off his shoulders, meaning Brady must build an offense that eases some of the burden off his QB1. The Bills had a top 10 defense last year and added Bradley Chubb, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone.
Ultimately, the AFC East should come down to the Patriots or Bills. The pain – and experience – of a Super Bowl 60 loss, combined with quality offensive additions, the Patriots are the front runners to win the division.
