If Week 3 taught us anything about the AFC East, it was that the Buffalo Bills don't need to be at their best to be the top team in the division. Josh Allen's turnover-laden performance was still enough to earn Buffalo's third win of the season, while the rest of the division faltered.
The New York Jets and Miami Dolphins were never going to compete for a division title this season, but it was hard to see the New England Patriots' freefall coming. Through three weeks, the Bills are the only team in the division with more than one win.
As we turn our attention to the Week 4 slate, here's how things stand in the AFC East.
AFC North power rankings entering Week 4
Week 3 results:
- Bills beat Chargers 24-16
- Jets lose to Lions 31-24
- Dolphins lose to Chiefs 24-10
- Patriots lose to Jaguars 35-6
1. Buffalo Bills
No, the Bills' win over the Los Angeles Chargers wasn't pretty. They turned the ball over five times and barely escaped with a win against a team that is now 0-3. Allen showed the dark side of his gunslinging play style, throwing two inexcusable interceptions.
But Buffalo's ability to pull off a win when they clearly were not at their best will be important moving forward. Allen won't always be superman. He'll need the rest of the roster to step up, and they did on Sunday.
Next game: Sunday, Oct. 4 vs. Patriots
2. New York Jets
For a 1-2 team, the Jets have looked much more competent than expected. They held their own against a talented Detroit Lions team, though the game wasn't as close as the final score would indicate.
Without a franchise quarterback and with limited talent on defense, the Jets have a fairly low ceiling. They're not going to challenge the Bills for the top spot in the AFC East. But Aaron Glenn has shown that he's not the lame duck head coach that he seemed to be at the beginning of the season.
Next game: Sunday, Oct. 4 @ Bears
3. New England Patriots
This is the same team that played in the Super Bowl just over seven months ago? So far this season, Drake Maye looks completely lost. He has thrown just one touchdown and six interceptions and hasn't been the rushing threat that he was in 2025.
The Patriots will likely bounce back to some extent, especially when A.J. Brown returns from injury. But at this point, they look unrecognizable compared to last year's team.
Next game: Sunday, Oct. 4 @ Bills
4. Miami Dolphins
An already barren loster just lost its most talented player. Running back De'Von Achane suffered a torn ACL in Miami's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and is expected to miss the rest of the season. The Dolphins already had limited options on offense, but this injury effectively ends their chances of making waves this year.
It's time for Dolphins fans to turn their attention to the 2027 NFL Draft class.
Next game: Sunday, Oct. 4 @ Vikings
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