The 2025 NFL regular season is just around the corner. For the last five years, the AFC East has been dominated by the Bills, aside from a few competitive years from the Dolphins. However, each team in the AFC East has been shaken up this offseason with new coaches, rising young stars, splashy trades, and big free-agent signings. This could be one of the more competitive years in the AFC East in recent memory.

With the preseason firing on all cylinders, here is a prediction for the AFC East this season:

1. Buffalo Bills: 13-4 (5-1 Division)

The Buffalo Bills secure their sixth straight AFC East title and a top seed in the playoffs, earning another shot to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Buffalo. This should come as no surprise. As long as Josh Allen can continue his momentum from his MVP season, and the receiving corps can come through like they did last year, the offense will be elite again, especially with the James Cook contract ordeal over.

The defense looks to be much improved, especially on the defensive line, where edge rusher Joey Bosa and rookies TJ Sanders and Deone Walker greatly improve the depth and versatility of the group. The only area of concern I have, aside from injuries, is safety, where second-year safety Cole Bishop’s lack of experience is a question mark in the defense.

A 13-4 record should be enough to secure a number one seed for Buffalo, but it is hard to know which teams will jump out with a strong record.

I have the Bills dropping a divisional game to the Patriots, who look to be much improved from last season.

2. New England Patriots: 9-8 (3-3 Division)

The Patriots are looking to build on what was a strong end-of-season performance in 2024. Quarterback Drake Maye will be more comfortable in year two as the starter, and with a proven head coach like Mike Vrabel, the team should be an upgrade from previous seasons.

The Patriots were spenders in free agency, acquiring many big names in hopes of surrounding their second-year quarterback with proven commodities, along with a bolstered defense. Some notable signings include WR Stefon Diggs, DT Milton Williams, CB Carlton Davis, and LB Harold Landry.

I believe the Patriots will build on their end-of-season successes and significantly improve their team. However, there are still lingering questions around the true ceiling of this team. It all depends on whether Maye can make the leap fans and staff are looking for, whether Stefon Diggs can return to form after an ACL injury, and whether coach Vrabel can push the team to the next level.

Even with all the lingering questions, the team has unquestionable talent across its roster, and I see the Patriots taking the second spot in the AFC East. I have the Patriots splitting the season series with the Bills, Dolphins, and Jets.

3. New York Jets: 8-9 (3-3 Division)

The Jets are an interesting team this season, and betting on them being anything better than very bad is probably not a good gamble, considering their past. However, I think they have a good head coach in Aaron Glenn for once, who can start to put things together.

The Jets have an undeniably great defense, with stars like Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, and Quincy Williams. They will be a force on that side of the ball. They also have incredible depth and versatility across their defense. An experienced defensive coordinator like Steve Wilks, combined with the defensive prowess of Glenn, should create a formidable defense.

Their offense is where the questions begin to roll in. New QB Justin Fields, while talented, has yet to put together a strong full season in the NFL. Every time he steps on the field, he flashes his potential with his mobility, playmaking, and passing ability, but he has yet to put it all together for a long stretch. The Jets’ offensive line has also been a weak point over the past few seasons. If it doesn’t improve this year, their rushing attack, which was 31st in the league in yards per game last season, will struggle to improve.

For the Jets to have a thriving passing game and alleviate the pressure on their young quarterback, they must find a way to rush efficiently. So far in the preseason, they have shown their newfound strength up front.

The Jets have all the potential they need to start pulling themselves out of the hole their franchise has been in for a long time. If Glenn can effectively utilize his athletic quarterback and maintain a strong defense, I think they will do just that.

I have the Jets sweeping the Dolphins in the season series, getting swept by the Bills, and splitting the series with the Patriots.

4. Miami Dolphins: 5-12 (1-5 Division)

The Dolphins have been on a steady decline since their ascension after hiring head coach Mike McDaniels and trading for wide receiver Tyreek Hill. While they are undoubtedly a talented team, they seem unable to assemble a complete team on both sides of the ball. Their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, has an extensive injury history that has caused him to miss numerous games in the past few seasons. While talented, he is not a quarterback who can consistently push a team over the edge.

The defense is weaker than it was last year, having lost CB Jalen Ramsey, DL Calais Campbell, S Javon Holland, and LB Anthony Walker, who are all key pieces to the defense. While they added S Minkah Fitzpatrick, I don’t see the move as one that will significantly move the needle for the team.

Their offense, while very effective when at peak performance, can never quite reach that top level, especially later in the season. Tagovailoa is efficient, but not a superstar. Wide receivers Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the fastest duo in the league, cannot create enough opportunities to make up for the lack of production aside from them down the field.

I see the Dolphins steeply declining, with a difficult schedule, predictable offense, and reduced defensive capacity. It is hard to see them making any strides this season.

I have the Dolphins losing all their divisional games except one against the Patriots.

Overall, this appears to be a transitional year for the power balance in the AFC East, outside of Buffalo. However, in the NFL, things can swing massively with a single injury or a bad stretch of play. It is going to be fun to watch these teams play and develop over the 2025 season.