The AFC East picture isn't nearly as clear as it was a week ago. Heading into Week 4, it looked like the Buffalo Bills were set to run away with the division while the New England Patriots collapsed. New England's Week 4 upset of Buffalo makes things a bit more interesting.
The Bills still hold sole possession of the top spot in the division, with the Patriots now just one game behind. But that head-to-head loss could prove detrimental to Buffalo's division title hopes later in the season.
As we turn our attention to a crucial Week 5 slate, here's how things stack up in the AFC East.
AFC East power rankings after Week 4
- Patriots beat Bills 29-26
- Jets lose to Bears 23-12
- Dolphins lose to Vikings 15-10
1. Buffalo Bills
After being nearly perfect through the first two games of the season, Josh Allen has now turned the ball over four times in two weeks. The loss to the Patriots wasn't entirely his fault, though. Outside of an interception at the end of the first half, the Bills allowed Drake Maye to have his best performance of the season.
Greg Rousseau has been a force on defense, but the Bills have now allowed at least 29 points in three of their four games. One edge defender isn't going to be enough to carry the entire unit to success. Buffalo will need to be significantly better on Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams to avoid dropping another game.
Next game: Monday, Oct. 12th @ Rams
2. New England Patriots
Just like calling Maye a bust after three games was an overreaction, it would be an overreaction to say that everything is back on track for the Patriots. If not for an incredible catch by Efton Chism, the Bills may have pushed New England to a 1-3 start.
Still, it has to be encouraging for Patriots fans to see Maye looking closer to his 2025 self. He won't be able to take his foot off the gas, though, as the 3-1 Las Vegas Raiders come to town in Week 5.
Next game: Sunday, Oct. 11th vs. Raiders
3. New York Jets
The Jets have settled into their status as a pesky underdog lacking the talent to make any major waves in the AFC. They look much more competent than they did last year, but their path to winning the division or even sneaking into the playoffs as a Wild Card team seems nearly impossible.
If nothing else, the Jets are setting themselves up as a perfect landing spot for a quarterback early in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Next game: Sunday, Oct. 11th vs. Browns
4. Miami Dolphins
Is anybody surprised to see the Dolphins start the season at 0-4? Miami stripped its roster of most of its talented pieces this year, starting a long process of rebuilding. Clearly, that process is still in its earliest stages.
The Dolphins have scored 13 points or fewer in each of their four games this season. Their offense simply doesn't have the players to compete at the NFL level. This is going to be a long season for Dolphins fans.
Next game: Sunday, Oct. 11th vs. Bengals
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