After a summer of inactivity, Sak Sports Blog is back with my annual attempt at predicting the NFL standings for the upcoming season. The 2024-25 NFL season offers plenty of intrigue, and my prediction series kicks off with the AFC East.

Not a ton has changed in terms of the AFC East’s overall outlook since last season: the Buffalo Bills have the most well-rounded roster and one of the best quarterbacks in the game in Josh Allen, and are the de facto favorites, winning the division last season at 11-6. Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins are right there with Buffalo, as evidenced by their identical 11-6 finish in 2023-24.

The New England Patriots remain the least competitive-looking team on paper (though they will have a new quarterback in Drake Maye) and the New York Jets remain the wildcard of the bunch: with their success likely hinging on a strong return to the field for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

How will the division play out in the 2024-25 season? Read on for my 2024-25 AFC East Predictions, and if you’d like to debate or discuss any predictions, join the conversation with @SakSports on Twitter/X, on Facebook, or by commenting directly on this post!

1. Buffalo Bills (12-5)

(Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports)

Last Year’s Prediction: 12-5, 1st Place AFC East

Last Year’s Actual: 11-6, 1st Place AFC East

The Buffalo Bills have consistently been one of the best teams in the AFC with dual-threat elite quarterback Josh Allen at the helm. This year’s team might not be the best roster Buffalo has fielded in recently memory, with Allen’s go-to deep target Stefon Diggs notably absent after being traded to the Houston Texans. Buffalo’s ceiling might be slightly lower than last year, but as far as the AFC East goes, the Bills have the tools to string together enough wins to come out with yet another division crown.

2. Miami Dolphins (11-6)

(Jim Rassol-USA TODAY NETWORK)

Last Year’s Prediction: 10-7, 3rd Place AFC East

Last Year’s Actual: 11-6, 2nd Place AFC East

And if it’s not the Buffalo Bills atop the AFC East? Keep an eye on Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Mike McDaniels, and the Miami Dolphins. Besides having one of the best wide receivers in the game and speed all over the field, Miami has been accumulating talent in all areas of their roster, including the defensive side of the ball. At times, the Dolphins have looked like Super Bowl contenders under head coach Mike McDaniels: but between injuries and inconsistency, Miami hasn’t been able to make the jump from good to great just yet. Will this be the season the Dolphins make a deep playoff run? As much as health affects all 32 teams, it will be a major factor in Miami’s story this season.

3. New York Jets (10-7)

(Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Last Year’s Prediction: 11-6, 2nd Place AFC East

Last Year’s Actual: 7-10, 3rd Place AFC East

But don’t talk about health with these guys: the New York Jets blew up the quarterback landscape in the NFL by nabbing All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers last off-season. But just one drive in to his Jets career, Rodgers infamously went down and missed the entire 2023-24 season. For two straight seasons, the Jets have fielded an above-average roster: with a strong defense, a solid offensive line, and complimentary offensive pieces like Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson. The problem? The quarterback position has been a revolving door of garbage. If Aaron Rodgers is even half-decent in his comeback, the Jets should finish with a winning record. If Rodgers plays at an elite level, the Jets could be Super Bowl contenders. My best guess is somewhere in-between: an above average team with a 10-7 record, which might not even be enough to get in to the playoffs in a talented AFC field.

4. New England Patriots (4-13)

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Last Year’s Prediction: 6-11, 4th Place AFC East

Last Year’s Actual: 4-13, 4th Place AFC East

I don’t have much to say about the New England Patriots, other than that they are in a rebuilding era. University of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye could be the next Tom Brady for all we know, but I don’t even think that would translate to success with the Patriots current roster. Fortunes can change quickly in the NFL, but in my eyes, the Patriots are at least one more season away from seeing any positive changes in the win column: I have them winning two less games than they did last season.

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