Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old One (2026 AFC East Preview)

I'm a little late with these division previews, I usually put these together in early August, but it's now late August, with the regular season just two and a half weeks away. I would say it can't be helped, mainly because the chaos of the MLB season (especially whatever the hell's going on in the American League) and the excitement of the ongoing CFL season. But I won't say that. Because that's an excuse, and unlike fans of a certain AFC East who does nothing but fail despite having opportunities handed to them, I don't make excuses.

So yeah, 17 days remain until the NFL's regular season starts. I have eight divisions to preview. That averages to a story every other day. Challenge accepted. As usual, we'll get things started with the AFC East, and like always, the teams will be listed in reverse standings order from the previous season.

New York Jets (3-14)

Congratulations, Jets! You are now the sole owners of the longest current playoff drought in pro sports. For the longest time, the Jets shared that unfortunate burden with the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, but not only were the Sabres part of this past season's Stanley Cup Playoffs, they came within a hair of the Conference Finals. As for the Jets, the malaise continues. A two game decline from last year, resulting in being one of four teams to finish with a league-worst 3-14 record. Oddly, the first two of their three wins occurred consecutively. As for the Draft, the Jets ended up drafting second; still a very good spot.

Speaking of the Draft, the Jets will be on the clock yet again. There is no hope for the Jets. There never is. Only three .500 or better seasons since their last playoff appearance in 2010, and their last winning season was a 10-6 campaign in 2015. The Jets literally have only one boast: even with their current drought, they still have more playoff wins in this century than the Cowboys. Yikes.

Miami Dolphins (7-10)

December 30, 2000. On that day, the Miami Dolphins defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 23-17, in OT in that year's AFC Wild Card Playoff. Here it is, just over a quarter-century later, and the Dolphins are still looking for another playoff win. The AFC East really is jinxed, isn't it? Jets have the longest current playoff drought, and the Dolphins have the longest current playoff wins drought. Oh, and for more of a perspective on how long ago this was, look at the date: December 30, 2000. That season was the final time that the playoffs started in December, and I am old enough to remember when Wild Card Weekend fell on New Year's Eve/Day Weekend.

Right now, Dolphins are celebrating two things: one, Tua's no longer their QB, and two, they no longer have to deal with the trainwreck known as Tyreek Hill. On a down note, they did fired Mike McDaniel as head coach, and they also lost Jaylen Waddle as well. All they gained was a new QB in Malik Willis, and a new coach in Jeff Hafley (you're welcome, Dolphins), but other than that, they have nothing else to work with.

Buffalo Bills (12-5)

It's over, Bills fans. The excuses are over. Josh Allen will never reach the Super Bowl, and it's time for you to admit that he's the main reason for that problem. There's a trope out there known as "Never My Fault," and boy, do Bills fans abuse that trope when it comes to Josh Allen. Nothing is ever his fault. Lose in OT to the Chiefs in 2021? "It's the OT rules." Also, "It's hard to win in Arrowhead." A week later, Joe Burrow won in OT in Arrowhead. Lose at home to Cincy in 2022? "Josh Allen can't do it alone." He has Pro Bowl RBs, WRs, and TEs with him, but sure. In 2023, you finally have the Chiefs at home, but lose anyway. "It's Stefon Diggs' fault." Lose to the Chiefs again in 2024? "Get Josh some help!" And BTW, the same fans who say Josh is by himself (he isn't) also say that Lamar Jackson has a great team around him (he certainly does not), and any losses are Lamar's fault only. Seriously, they must really hate Lamar's Blackness to believe that crap.

And then there's last year. I said this many times during last year's playoffs: this was Josh's conference to lose. The AFC playoff field had no Lamar, no Burrow, and for once, no Mahomes. Josh could literally do the Oba Femi strut to Santa Clara (the home of Super Bowl LX), but as usual, he got in his own way. Four turnovers in the Divisional Playoff, including one in OT (so much for that excuse). Easiest chance Josh had, and he Josh Allen'ed it up... AGAIN. Expect more of same this year: good regular season, bad playoffs.

New England Patriots (14-3)

Just when you thought it was safe to invest in AFC East football again, the empire has to strike back, and yes, that's a Star Wars pun. Clearly, no one in the AFC has ever watched an episode of Supernatural. You can't just beat an entity into submission. You have to salt the bones and set them ablaze. That's what Sam and Dean Winchester do. The Patriots were only down, but they still had a pulse. As a result, what we got was basically a reboot. A totally different team with Drake Maye as QB, and they went 14-3 and ended up in the Super Bowl.

One thing I've seen regarding the AFC East: when a team takes that division over, it's a long term takeover. The Patriots dominated it before for over a decade, and recent years saw the Bills own it. From the looks of things, the rent is overdue. It looks like the Patriots will be on top of the division for a long time. As the saying goes, "The more things change, the more they stay the same.

So from the looks of things, the Bills/Patriots matchups (Week 4 in Buffalo, Week 13 in Foxboro) are the dates that should be circled. The East will be between those two teams, and it should be interesting to see who wins that race. The AFC East, even with the Dolphins and Jets playing for draft picks this year, should be very captivating to watch this season.