2025 AFC East Preview: Can Anyone Dethrone the Bills?
Welcome to our 2025 AFC East Preview!
As we gear up for the 2025 NFL season, we’re breaking down each division with key offseason moves, betting odds, critical questions, and bold predictions for every team.
Current Odds to Win:
Buffalo Bills -280
New England Patriots +550
Miami Dolphins +750
New York Jets +1700
This division has a wide range of outcomes in 2025 – but whether or not anyone can keep up with the Buffalo Bills remains to be seen. Buffalo has won five straight divisional titles since Tom Brady left the Patriots and they’re once again installed as overwhelming favorites to take home the crown in 2025.
Buffalo Bills
Key Moves:Extended Josh Allen, Signed Joey Bosa and Josh Palmer, Drafted Maxwell Hairston and Lost Von Miller
Key Question: Can they finally slay the dragon?
It’s not common for a team as quality as the Bills to have many questions heading into a season, but the one highlighted above cannot be ignored. I’m not a QB wins guy whatsoever, but the facts are the facts – Josh Allen is 4-1 against Patrick Mahomes in the regular season, but 0-4 in the play-offs. Three of those losses have come by a combined 12 points.
Allen is coming off his first MVP award, despite seemingly always playing at an MVP level. The defense will need to take a step forward, however, if they want the answer to that question to be “yes.” They forced a ton of turnovers last season, but struggled on third down and to get off the field at times which bit them in the play-offs along with failing to convert the tush push multiple times. I’m expecting a leap forward from second year offensive players Keon Coleman and Ray Davis – I just hope the blame doesn’t once again get placed on the shoulders of Josh Allen. It’s anything but his fault.
Bold Prediction: Buffalo once again loses in the AFC Championship game.
New England Patriots
Key Moves: Signed Milton Williams, Garrett Bradbury, Stefon Diggs, Harold Landry, Drafted Will Campbell, Trey’Veon Henderson and Kyle Williams, Lost Jonathan Jones
Key Question: Will the offensive line hold up?
The Patriots had a pretty good off-season, bringing in an entirely new coaching staff featuring some old friends in Mike Vrabel and Mike McDaniel and making a ton of key additions on both sides of the ball. Vegas has set their win total north of 8 games, giving them the biggest positive increase of any team from their win total last year to this year. I’m bullish on Drake Maye, but I’m not quite sure if 9 wins is entirely realistic this quickly.
Stefon Diggs wasn’t quite the answer I was looking for in terms of a main weapon for Drake Maye, but they made a ton of great adds on the offensive line. Ultimately, the defense should be good and protecting your young QB is most important. Whether or not this offensive line takes a big step forward will be more important to me than the breakout of any weapons.
Bold Prediction: Trey’Veon Henderson scores 10+ touchdowns.
Click the image below to view our full power rankings from the 2024 NFL season.
Miami Dolphins
Key Moves: Drafted Kenneth Grant, Traded Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith, Terron Armstead retired
Key Question: Has their window already closed?
I honestly feel bad for Dolphins fans. One minute they were up and coming in the AFC. They had an exciting, bright-minded offensive coach and it appeared they were on track to be the next team to ascend in a stacked conference…and then 2024 happened. Tua’s injury concerns once again reared their ugly head while the age apex seemingly caught up to Tyreek Hill. On top of that, I absolutely hated the trade of Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith for Minkah Fitzpatrick. I understand it wasn’t realistic for the Dolphins to keep Ramsey, and they needed safety help, but Fitzpatrick is coming off his worst season as a pro.
Smith exiting the rotation should do wonders for both Achane and Jaylen Waddle. Achane is going to get all he can handle even if Jaylen Wright takes a second year leap. This team is fun, but I don’t see them making any real noise when it comes to the playoffs.
Bold Prediction: Miami misses the playoffs despite a historic fantasy season from De’Von Achane.
New York Jets
Key Moves: Extended Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner, Signed Justin Fields, Drafted Armand Membou and Mason Taylor, Lost Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and DJ Reed
Key Question: Does Aaron Glenn pass the test?
Writing up Jets previews is always so funny, because they have been in the same exact cycle for what feels like my entire life – apologies to any fans out there, but you know I’m telling the truth. They have moved onto yet another new coaching staff, and with Aaron Rodgers departing, Justin Fields is getting another crack at a starting gig. It’s been 14 years since they’ve made the playoffs and they’re big favorites to extend that streak to 15 years. Much like the Dolphins, it appeared they were headed towards contention just two years ago but here we are, with them more dysfunctional than ever.
There are questions at running back, and head coach. It’s been a coaching carousel post-Rex Ryan and Aaron Glenn is going to need to greatly exceed expectations to change that. They don’t seem to have any patience at this point – and if things go south I would expect him to only last two years – though I am rooting for him. I’m excited to see Fields with actual weapons and I do think there’s a chance for a career renaissance in the Big Apple. Playing with his former college teammate Garrett Wilson, Fields is primed for a big season especially in the fantasy streets.
Bold Prediction: Justin Fields runs for 1,000 yards.
Written by Ben Hossler (@BenHossler)