We’re back with another year of annual NFL coverage, starting with preseason win-loss predictions for all eight divisions.

First up, as always, is the AFC East. While there’s been plenty of intrigue over the last few years in this division, from Tyreek Hill joining the Miami Dolphins to Aaron Rodgers having a two-year stint with the New York Jets. But ultimately, this division is pretty straightforward at this point in time.

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are the heavy favorites to run back a sixth straight AFC East crown. The competition just can’t keep up: the Miami Dolphins have challenged Buffalo at times, but with Tua Tagovailoa’s long-term health in question and the roster losing some of the flashy names they acquired in recent years, Miami might take a step back this season.

The New York Jets and New England Patriots definitely aren’t as hapless as they have been in years past: Drake Maye got Stefon Diggs, and the Jets have a solid roster, this year handing the keys to Justin Fields as their starting quarterback.

But order-wise, it’s the Bills and then everyone else. There’s probably room for one of the other three teams to exceed expectations and finish with a winning record, it could be any of them.

How will the division play out in the 2025-26 season? Read on for my 2025-26 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!

2025-26 NFL Predictions

AFC East, AFC North, AFC South, AFC West

NFC East, NFC North, NFC South, NFC West

1. Buffalo Bills (13-4)

(New York Times)

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

Last Year’s Actual: 13-4, 1st Place AFC East

As I’ve already alluded to, the AFC East belongs to the Buffalo Bills, very reminiscent of how it once belonged to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Buffalo should perform very well within AFC East play, as well as dominate many other opponents throughout the league. After two years of projecting 12-5 records for the Bills, I’m upping the ante and predicting they match last season’s 13-4 regular season record, earning the first seed in the AFC over the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. Even with Stefon Diggs skipping town to a division rival, the Bills are locked and loaded for another stellar regular season paired with a deep postseason run. Can this be the year Buffalo finally wins the right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl?

2. Miami Dolphins (8-9)

(NFL.com)

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

Last Year’s Actual: 8-9, 2nd Place AFC East

The Miami Dolphins’ win total and ceiling were drastically lowered as Tua Tagovailoa spent a good amount of the season on the sidelines. Tua should be back in the fold this year, but expectations for the Dolphins are starting to be tempered. Miami once went toe-to-toe with Buffalo a couple times a year, challenging as late as December for the division crown. But at this point in time, a wildcard berth or winning record would be a more realistic goal.

3. New England Patriots (6-11)

(The Boston Globe)

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

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

My 4-13 prediction for the New England Patriots last season was spot-on, but with Drake Maye continuing to develop and the addition of Stefon Diggs, I see the Patriots climbing up the ladder a little bit. New England could very well still finish in fourth place in the AFC East, depending on how the New York Jets’ season plays out, but I do see a step in the right direction. Others see a dark horse playoff contender, but I personally don’t think the Patriots are there quite yet. Mike Vrabel should be a good coach for New England.

4. New York Jets (5-12)

(New York Jets)

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

Last Year’s Actual: 5-12, 3rd Place AFC East

Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall… the New York Jets have young talent, a new head coach in Aaron Glenn, and an exciting quarterback in Justin Fields.

Unfortunately, growing up in New York-New Jersey, I’ve seen this story far too many times before.

The Jets ceiling is pretty high this year. Fields could lead an efficient offense, backed by a strong defense, and earn as many as 10 or 11 wins this season.

But the Jets just can’t seem to escape the quarterback curse. Whether it’s poor play, injury (which Fields already suffered a scare from this summer), or something else entirely, consistency at the quarterback position has been the Jets’ Achilles heel, and while I’m personally high on Justin Fields as the next quarterback to take a crack at it, predicting that he’ll actually turn this thing around would be pure insanity at this point.

Previous AFC East Predictions

2024-25, 2023-24, 2022-23, 2021-22

More AFC East Coverage

New York Jets Articles

Buffalo Bills Articles

Miami Dolphins Articles

New England Patriots Articles

More

NFL

NBA

More Sports

More By Me

Header Photo Credit: Cited in-article

Be sure to follow Sak Sports Blog on Twitter/X or on Facebook for more!

Posted on 0 By Billy Sakmann NFL Posted in NFL, Sakmann Sports Tagged #, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Billy Sakmann's avatar

Billy Sakmann

Leave a comment