The “First Things First” panel just dropped their unanimous AFC East predictions, and while everyone agrees on the top two teams, there’s some serious debate about New England’s shot at the postseason. The Buffalo Bills are projected to snatch the division crown back from the Patriots in 2026, who are coming off a Super Bowl appearance but face a brutal early schedule that includes a visit to our own Lumen Field.
Buffalo’s High-Powered Offense Set to Dominate
Almost everyone sees the Bills and Patriots as the top two in the AFC East, but the consensus is clear: Buffalo is roaring back. Nick Wright, for one, is calling for an 11-6 record for the Bills, putting them first. He’s betting big on Josh Allen, saying a healthy Allen alone gives you a “10-win floor.” You can’t argue with that! Wright also highlights James Cook, who just won a rushing title and is a top-10 fantasy pick, plus their “awesome offensive line.” He even thinks this could be the year Dalton Kincaid finally breaks out and lives up to his draft status.
Chris Broussard echoes the sentiment, agreeing Buffalo takes the division. He loves the addition of receiver D.J. Moore and sees new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard bringing “more modern stuff” to get that defense “clicking.” With McDermott as a “great defensive mind” and Leonhard taking over, the Bills are clearly building something special to complement their offensive firepower.
New England Faces a Gauntlet, Experts Are Split
While the Patriots made the Super Bowl last season and reloaded their offense, their road back to the postseason looks tough. Nick Wright has them at a 10-7 record and believes they’ll make the playoffs, largely due to head coach Mike Vrabel being an “excellent coach” and his faith in quarterback Drake Maye’s progression. But even Wright admits their early schedule is brutal: “Three of their first four games at Seattle, at Jacksonville, at Buffalo.” Woof. Starting with a trip to the Emerald City to face our Seahawks is no easy task, and then they hit Jacksonville and Buffalo? That’s a rough start for any team, let alone one with a developing quarterback.
Chris Broussard, however, isn’t so optimistic about New England’s postseason chances, even though he agrees they’ll finish second in the division. He cautions against those high expectations. It seems like Maye’s finish to last season left some questions, and that schedule sure isn’t doing them any favors.
Jets and Dolphins Are Just Trying to Stay Afloat
The Jets and Dolphins are basically afterthoughts in this conversation. Both Wright and Broussard unanimously picked the New York Jets to finish third at 4-13 and the Miami Dolphins dead last at 3-14. Wright didn’t pull any punches on Miami, calling their wide receiver corps potentially “the worst in the history of the league” and pointing out they have massive dead cap money with their four highest-paid players playing elsewhere. Ouch. Sounds like a long season ahead for South Florida.
With opening night of the NFL season just over a week away, the stage is set for an intense AFC East battle. Will Buffalo live up to the hype and reclaim their spot at the top? Can Vrabel and Maye navigate that brutal early schedule, including their Lumen Field visit, and push the Patriots into the playoffs? It’s going to be a wild ride, and you know we’ll be watching every snap, especially when the Pats roll into our house!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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