The Buffalo Bills lost their grip on the top spot in the AFC East for the first time in half a decade last season. The New England Patriots stole the division title on their road to an unlikely Super Bowl appearance. But after Week 1 of the 2026 season, it looks like order has been restored.
The spotlight was on the division's top teams, with difficult matchups for both the Bills and the Patriots in the opening week of regular-season football.
Joe Brady's squad pulled off an impressive win over the Houston Texans, while the rest of the division didn't look threatening. After one week, here's how the AFC East shakes out.
AFC East power rankings entering Week 2
Week 1 results:
- Patriots lose to Seahawks 13-10
- Jets beat Titans 23-10
- Bills beat Texans 36-31
- Dolphins lose to Raiders 27-13
1. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen is still Josh Allen. The MVP quarterback put on his superhero cape on Sunday, leading the Bills to a wild win over the Texans. With Dalton Kincaid and DJ Moore stepping up, it looks like Buffalo has its most dangerous passing attack in years.
Jim Leonhard's defense is worth keeping an eye on after giving up 31 points to a Texans offense that struggled in 2025. Against better offenses, this unit might struggle. But if we bake in some growth over the course of the season, the Bills have everything they need for a Super Bowl run.
The road doesn't get any easier, though, as Buffalo takes on the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football to kick off the Week 2 slate.
Next game: Thursday, Sept. 17 vs. Lions
2. New England Patriots
Before the opening week of the season, the division had a clear gap between its top two teams and its bottom two teams. The gap between the Patriots and Jets is now razor-thin, but in an effort not to overreact to Week 1 results, we're keeping New England ahead for now.
Drake Maye looked nothing like his MVP-runner-up self in the Patriots' loss to the Seahawks, throwing three inexcusable interceptions. A.J. Brown is headed to the injured reserve, limiting the offense for at least the next month.
The Super Bowl hangover started earlier than anyone expected for New England, who is levels below Buffalo after Week 1.
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20 vs. Steelers
3. New York Jets
The Jets were almost unrecognizable in their win over the Titans. Of course, Tennessee might be the worst team in the NFL this year, but New York played a buttoned-up brand of football that had to be refreshing for its fans.
Geno Smith looks like a competent starting quarterback, the offensive line was dominant, and Aaron Glenn's talent-injected defense gave Cam Ward fits.
This Jets team may not threaten Buffalo for the division title, but they're not going to be handing out free wins like they did in 2025.
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20 vs. Packers
4. Miami Dolphins
One week into the season, it's time for the Dolphins to start focusing on the 2027 NFL Draft class. While quarterback Malik Willis and his rookie pass catchers had a few notable plays in the loss to the Raiders, this team simply lacks the talent to be competitive.
Miami made Las Vegas, the NFL's worst team last season, look dominant. It doesn't look like Jeff Hafley's team is challenging for the top spot in the AFC East any time soon.
Things might only get worse for the Dolphins, as they take on the red-hot San Francisco 49ers in Week 2.
Next game: Sunday, Sept. 20 @ 49ers
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