2026 NFL Preview: AFC East

In 2025, the AFC East represented the AFC in Super Bowl LX, with the New England Patriots as the team. It ended in a loss by the New England Patriots to the Seattle Seahawks, 29-13, in Super Bowl LX. While the Patriots are looking to remain on top of the division, all the remaining teams look to dethrone them. The East could once again be a two-horse race for the AFC East title in the 2026 season. Here’s how the AFC East standings will look in the upcoming NFL season for all 4 teams in the division.

1. Buffalo Bills

After settling for a Wild Card spot in 2025, the Buffalo Bills look to regain the AFC East crown. Buffalo will be entering 2026 with a brand-new coach, as Joe Brady takes over as Head coach from Sean McDermott. Josh Allen’s presence at quarterback will help the Bills be the preseason favorites to win the AFC East in 2026. A brutal schedule for the Buffalo Bills, with 7 primetime games, could spell trouble for the Bills in 2026. If they can get by the New England Patriots and their own brutal schedule, the Buffalo Bills will own the East.

2. New England Patriots

The New England Patriots reached the Super Bowl last year, only to fall to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13. Their offense was able to pick up a big-time wide receiver, AJ Brown, in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. Just like their divisional rival Buffalo, their schedule is just as difficult, playing a 1st place kind of schedule. The 2026 Patriots season will come down to how Drake Maye will progress going into his 3rd year in the league. Expectations are there for the Patriots, but it’s the play on the field that will be the story in 2026.  

3. New York Jets

After a down 2025, the New York Jets are looking to bounce back with more building blocks for the future. The team added tremendous talent in David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, and Omar Cooper Jr in the 1st round. They added veteran QB Geno Smith, which is a short-term outlook and not a long-term outlook for the Jets. The Jets in 2026 look like a 3rd place in the AFC East behind both Buffalo and New England. Even with building blocks, 2027 will be the year the New York Jets will be drafting their next quarterback.

4. Miami Dolphins

A full-blown rebuild is for the Miami Dolphins as they enter 2026, with both a new head coach and quarterback. Malik Willis was signed to a 3-year contract to see if he can be that long-term answer at quarterback. Even with Malik Willis, the quarterback situation in Miami looks questionable, as they could look at the 2027 draft. Even with the rest of the young players Miami drafted, it could be a long season in South Beach. The Miami Dolphins in 2026 will be looking at the future in their 1st step of this latest rebuild. 

2026 AFC East outlook

The AFC East in 2026 is looking like a two-team race, just like it was last year in 2025. Both the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills are projected to battle it out for the AFC East. While the New York Jets could be looking at a .500 record, the quarterback position remains a question mark. The Miami Dolphins are going into a full-on rebuild while creating a brand new culture with a new head coach. While 2 teams in the East will be duking it out, 2 other teams are looking to exceed expectations. Overall, the AFC East will be a division that shouldn’t be slept on going into the 2026 NFL season. 

AFC East Predictions Standings:

1. Buffalo Bills: 13-4

2. New England Patriots: 9-8

3. New York Jets: 6-11

4. Miami Dolphins: 3-14