The AFC East has a perennial Super Bowl contender in the Buffalo Bills, who seek their sixth consecutive division title in 2025.
They could have company in the playoff conversation with a revitalized New England Patriots team in the first season with head coach Mike Vrabel leading the way.
National media outlets embraced the Patriots with the addition of Vrabel, the return of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the development of Drake Maye and plenty of money invested in free agency.
This comes as a surprise to many as New England was 4-13 last season. While an improvement is to be expected, it's hard to envision any team going from one of the worst in the league to a playoff contender in just one year.
That embrace continued just days before the NFL season begins with predictions and prognostications galore. NFL Network hosts Jamie Erdahl and Kyle Brandt shared their playoff predictions Tuesday and tabbed both the Patriots and Bills to earn postseason spots in the AFC.
The division rivals have not made the playoffs together since the 2021 season. Buffalo and New England split the regular season series before the Bills dismantled the Patriots in a home 47-17 victory in the AFC Wild Card round.
The Patriots host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 on CBS while the Bills engage in a playoff rematch with the Buffalo Bills in primetime on Sunday Night Football on NBC.
Related Articles
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.