Can the Patriots return to the mountaintop? Predicting the AFC East
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Are the New England Patriots again the kings of the AFC East?
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Can the Patriots return to the mountaintop? Predicting the AFC East