The AFC East looked ready to settle into a familiar shape after three weeks. Buffalo was rolling, New England was flailing, and the gap between first and last felt wide enough to drive a truck through. Then Week 4 happened, and the Patriots’ upset of the Bills put a little life back into the race.
Buffalo still sits alone at the top, but the margin is down to one game. That makes the Bills’ head-to-head loss to New England feel bigger than just one bad Sunday, especially with the season still young and the division picture suddenly less tidy than it seemed.
- Buffalo Bills
The Bills remain in first place, but the last two weeks have raised some real questions. Josh Allen, who was almost flawless through the first two games, has coughed the ball up four times over the last two weeks. Against the Patriots, the offense had enough chances to keep control of the game, but Buffalo also let Drake Maye put together his best showing of the season.
Greg Rousseau has been a major piece on defense, yet that hasn’t stopped the unit from giving up at least 29 points in three of four games. That’s too much strain for one defender to absorb. Buffalo now has to clean things up quickly before Monday night’s trip to the Los Angeles Rams turns into another setback.
Next game: Monday, Oct. 12th @ Rams
- New England Patriots
It would be a mistake to go too far in either direction with New England after one upset win. Calling Maye a bust after three games was too much, and acting like the Patriots have fully turned the corner now would be too much too.
Even so, there’s no denying this was an important response. If not for Efton Chism’s incredible catch, the Bills could have left New England with a 1-3 record hanging over them instead of a much-needed win.
The bigger takeaway is that Maye looks more like the version Patriots fans expected from 2025. The challenge now is keeping that going with the 3-1 Las Vegas Raiders coming to town.
Next game: Sunday, Oct. 11th vs. Raiders
- New York Jets
The Jets have become exactly the kind of team that can annoy people without really threatening anybody above them. They’re better than they were a year ago, and that matters, but they still don’t look like a real contender in the AFC East or a believable Wild Card threat.
At this point, the bigger picture feels pretty straightforward. New York is shaping up as a possible early destination for a quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Next game: Sunday, Oct. 11th vs. Browns
- Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins’ 0-4 start is hardly a shock at this point. Miami has taken most of the talent off this roster, and the rebuild is clearly still in its opening phase.
The offense has been stuck in neutral all season, scoring 13 points or fewer in every game so far. Without the pieces to consistently compete at the NFL level, this is looking like a long year for Miami.
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 🡒]