2025 NFL Schedule Preview: AFC East originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Our schedule breakdown continues with the AFC East, which feels like it’s Buffalo’s to lose, who will play against the AFC North and NFC South, as well as six games in division.

Buffalo Bills: Schedule By WeekMiami Dolphins: Schedule By WeekNew England Patriots: Schedule By WeekNew York Jets: Schedule By Week

ODDS TO WIN AFC EAST:

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LAGHEZZA’S LEAN:

Circling the wagons on the Buffalo Bills is a little too pricey for me at this point, and though my heart yearns to smash the New York Jets, it’s most likely a pipedream. However, a closer look at this schedule drop makes me significantly more bullish on the Patriots than I was initially. I haven’t bet it yet but NE TO WIN THE AFC EAST (+475) rates as my top value.

Drake Maye exceeded expectations in his rookie campaign, now seemingly the right answer at QB going forward for New England. Despite posting just four wins in 2024, the former Tar Heel turned lemons into lemonade given the surrounding talent — which has been addressed in the offseason by signing Stefon Diggs plus drafting both  RB TreVeyon Henderson and WR Kyle Williams.

It’s worth noting more than half of the Patriots losses were in one-score games, where a bounce here or there could flip that on its head. And now that the schedule makers served up the NFC South on a platter, drawing the Giants, Titans, and Raiders could wind up being determinative for NE. For reference, the Bills drew the Eagles, Chiefs, and Texans in the disparate section of their schedule, which could be the difference when the dusts settles.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.