Buffalo Bills Aim to Reclaim AFC East Crown Ahead of Training Camp

Buffalo Bills enter the 2026 preseason with a 12-5 record, sitting sixth in the AFC and riding a one‑game winning streak, and they’re already talking division glory. The team’s focus is clear: beat New England twice and lock up the AFC East before training camp even starts.

How did the Bills earn this position?

The Bills finished the regular season 12‑5, a mark that placed them just outside the top five in the conference. Their wild‑card berth came after the Patriots snatched the division crown last year, ending Buffalo’s five‑year run from 2020‑2024. Despite the setback, quarterback Josh Allen kept the offense humming, delivering clutch performances that kept the Bills in playoff conversation until the final week.

Why does the Patriots rivalry matter now?

Two Bills‑Patriots meetings define the AFC East race. Week 4 sees Buffalo host New England at Highmark Stadium, and Week 13 flips the venue to Gillette Stadium. Last season, the Bills dropped a home game but rebounded with a road win. If they repeat that split‑win formula, the division will likely tilt back toward Buffalo. ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg highlighted the “close fight” between the squads, noting Allen’s ability to swing outcomes with his arm and legs.

What do experts predict for the division?

A recent ESPN roundtable of AFC East beat reporters—Getzenberg, Marcel Louis‑Jacques (Dolphins) and Rich Cimini (Jets)—all voted Buffalo to finish atop the division. Their reasoning centers on the Bills’ balanced attack and a schedule that, while tough, offers more winnable games than the Patriots’ first‑place slate. Patriots insider Mike Reiss still backs New England, citing quarterback Jared Maye’s rise and a healthier Jordan Brown as primary weapons.

What’s next on the Bills’ road map?

After the Patriots series, Buffalo’s next highlighted matchup lands on September 13 against the Houston Texans. The game will test the Bills’ ability to maintain momentum against a rebuilding opponent while fine‑tuning the offense for the grind of an AFC East showdown. Coach Sean McDermott is expected to lean on his defensive unit to keep games close, letting Allen exploit mismatches in the passing game.

How can Buffalo secure the AFC East?

The Bills must win both contests with New England. A loss in either slot would hand the division to the Patriots or, in a wild scenario, open the door for a surprise Jets or Dolphins surge. Consistency from Allen, a healthy Stefon Diggs, and a disciplined defensive line will be the difference between a wild‑card exit and a division‑winning season.

The Bills’ path is narrow but familiar: dominate the Patriots, stay healthy, and keep the offense clicking. With a 12‑5 record already in the books, the team looks poised to turn preseason optimism into a championship push.