The AFC East tightened up in Week 4, and the Buffalo Bills no longer have the kind of cushion they were hoping for. New England walked into Orchard Park and left with a 29-26 win, and that result pulled the Patriots right back into the division race.
Buffalo still sits on top at 3-1, but the loss to New England makes the margin feel a lot slimmer than it did a week ago. The Bills entered the week in position to create some distance, but instead they were beaten at home in front of Bills Mafia in the first divisional matchup for both teams.
New England, now 2-2, has the clearest momentum in the division heading into Week 5. The Patriots not only beat Buffalo, they now own the tiebreaker and sit just one game back.
That’s a major swing after the way the game played out. Buffalo was outgained 405 yards to 340, and New England also won the battle in first downs, fourth downs, time of possession and red zone efficiency.
The Patriots’ rushing attack was too much, and Drake Maye had Buffalo on edge throughout the afternoon.
It also looks familiar. The source of the warning signs is the same pattern the Patriots used last season when they beat the Bills in Orchard Park and started building momentum in the AFC East.
The week after that, New England kept winning while Buffalo lost, and the division eventually tilted toward the Patriots. After this latest result, the Bills have been put on notice again.
The Jets are still stuck in the middle at 1-3, but their Week 4 trip to Chicago was a rough one. New York lost 23-12, and the Bears controlled the game from start to finish.
Chicago piled up 492 total yards while the Jets managed just 157. The only bright spot mentioned was the Jets getting their first interception in the Aaron Glenn era, but it did nothing to change the outcome.
Miami remains at the bottom at 0-4 after a 15-10 loss to the Vikings. Unlike the lopsided prediction many expected, the Dolphins hung around all game and made it their best showing so far.
Minnesota didn’t finish things off until late in the fourth quarter, but Miami is still searching for its first win of the season. The performance showed progress under Jeff Hafley, even if the record hasn’t changed yet.
In Other News...
Bills Fans Will Feel Mitch Morses Heartbreaking Family News
Mitch Morse shared heartbreaking family news this week, announcing the death of his younger brother Robbie, who passed away last week at 30. Robbie had lived with lifelong disabilities after suffering severe brain trauma as an infant, and the Morse family had long been open about his story, turning their private struggle into something many football fans came to know over the years.
The loss is one that will resonate in Buffalo, where Morse spent part of his career and built a strong connection with the fan base. Condolences poured in from across the NFL, including from former teammates and multiple teams, a reminder of how widely Robbies story was felt beyond one locker room. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Suddenly Have A Problem They May Need To Trade For
The Bills 29-26 loss to the Patriots did more than dent the standings. It also pushed a familiar concern back into the spotlight: a secondary that is being asked to hold up while the defense adjusts to Jim Leonhards system, all while injuries keep stripping away experienced options. Buffalo has had to lean on less seasoned defensive backs, and the results have made the back end look like a spot that could use help sooner rather than later.
With the trade deadline still on the horizon in 2026, the question is whether Buffalo waits for its current group to stabilize or starts looking outside the building for reinforcements. The need is obvious enough after a night like this, but the challenge is finding a move that actually fits both the Bills defense and the urgency created by a thin, banged-up secondary. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Face A Risky Tyreek Hill Decision With AFC Stakes
Tyreek Hill is expected to land with an NFL team soon after working his way back from a season-ending injury and being released by the Dolphins, and the Bills are one of the clubs that could wind up in the mix. NFL insider Albert Breer pointed to Buffalo and Kansas City as the two most obvious fits, which makes sense given how both early AFC contenders could use help at wide receiver and have enough ambition to think beyond simple depth.
For Buffalo, the appeal is obvious and the risk is just as clear. Hill would give the offense another dangerous weapon, but the Bills would also be weighing his recovery and age against the possibility that the Chiefs could get there first. In a conference where every edge matters, the decision is less about whether Hill can help and more about how much a contender wants to bet on what he still has left. [Read more 🡒]