The New England Patriots improved to 6-2 with a commanding 32-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
The win solidified their position atop the AFC East and gave them the tiebreaker advantage over the Buffalo Bills.
New England’s earlier road victory in Buffalo, initially viewed as a major upset, now carries significant weight in the division race.
Momentum is building around the possibility of the Patriots capturing the division title for the first time in years.
Former NFL quarterback Alex Smith discussed the team’s resurgence during Monday’s edition of ESPN’s Get Up.
He confidently said he believes New England, not Buffalo, will finish atop the AFC East.
“I like the Patriots, as crazy as that is to say,” Smith said. “I can’t believe it. Because of the play of Drake Maye, but especially on this defense. They have the better defense. This is a team sport. Bills still have a lot of question marks on that side of the ball.”
Alex Smith believes the Patriots will win the AFC East over the Bills 👀 pic.twitter.com/Lvw6csdpMM
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) October 27, 2025
Maye extended his breakout campaign with three touchdown passes and added 50 yards on the ground in the win.
The Patriots rushed for 177 yards as a team, controlling the game’s tempo from start to finish.
Defensively, Mike Vrabel’s influence has transformed the unit into one of the league’s most reliable groups.
New England has held seven of its eight opponents to 21 points or fewer this season.
Buffalo remains a formidable obstacle despite New England’s current edge in the standings.
The Bills dismantled the Carolina Panthers 40-9 on Sunday, showcasing their offensive firepower behind Josh Allen.
His talent and ability to dominate defenses keep Buffalo dangerous in any matchup.
The division race will likely come down to coaching adjustments and execution in critical moments between Vrabel and Sean McDermott.
NEXT: Stats Show How Drake Maye Is Dominating