From 2020-2024, the Buffalo Bills were on top of the AFC East and they were the ones leading the division after it was dominated by the New England Patriots for nearly two decades. Once Tom Brady left for Tampa Bay, the Patriots were set to fall and the Bills ended up being the one that took control of the division.
Then it changed last season when the Bills played some inconsistent football, and the Patriots managed to have one of the easiest schedules that a team could have and ended up winning back the division. They also made it to the Super Bowl, but then they were blown out by the Seattle Seahawks.
Heading into this season, the Patriots will defend their AFC East title but the Bills are coming for it with all of their changes that they went through this offseason.
Bills looking to take back AFC East with a new look
The Bills are going into this season with a new coaching staff that is led by a new head coach, and a new defense where the scheme is completely different. Usually when there are major changes, the expectations may not be as big. However, Bills Mafia knows that isn’t the case with the Bills this season.
While Sean McDermott could not get past the obstacles in the playoffs, there’s no doubt that he was very successful as the head coach of the Bills. Joe Brady doesn’t exactly have a lot of room to regress. Luckily, Brad Gagnon from Bleacher Report has put together a recent prediction that has the Bills as the only team in the AFC East that makes it into the postseason.
Gagnon focused on the Patriots and how they have a lot of stuff going against them going into this season, and then of course both the Jets and Dolphins being where they are at as franchises.
"This is really an indictment of the Patriots' outlook: They are primed for a post-Super Bowl hangover after a distracting offseason and now face an uphill battle with a target on their back in 2026." said Gagnon.
"That said, New England is still better off than the rebuilding Dolphins or a Jets team that has plenty of pieces in place but will be relying on a post-prime turnover machine as a bridge quarterback. Those teams lost a combined 24 games in 2025 and should be expected to join the Pats on the golf course come the middle of January." Gagnon added.
AFC East set up for Bills to take back in 2026
Yes, the Bills have a tough schedule, especially in the beginning against opponents like the Texans, Lions, Chargers, Patriots, and Rams. However, for as many changes as they went through this offseason, there is still plenty of continuity.
The Bills looked solid in their first preseason game last Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. Then again it was only preseason and the starters played in just two drives. The good news is that they did show more promise for what’s to come. This season will be a big one for the Bills, and it really does feel like that the AFC East is theirs to lose.
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