It took seventeen full weeks, but we finally have an AFC East champion for 2025. With the New England Patriots (13-3) taking back the division, the Buffalo Bills (11-5) will now hit the road for the first round of the playoffs. With the Miami Dolphins (7-9) and New York Jets (3-13) both looking to finish strong this week, let’s dig into the Week 18 AFC East Divisional Power Rankings.

#4 New York Jets (3-13)New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) runs with the ball during an NFL Week 10 game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.

The New York Jets are one week away from their miserable 2025 season being over. This season has included trading their two best defensive players, starting three different quarterbacks, and some of the worst play the Jets fans have seen in years. The only good news is that the Jets would currently pick third in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

#3 Miami Dolphins (7-9)Dec 21, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Miami Dolphins aren’t going out quietly as they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-17 in Week 17. While the Dolphins season hasn’t gone as they hoped, they’ve now won six of their last eight games. With the offseason staring them in the face, the Dolphins have a lot to figure out – namely, quarterback and head coach. 

#2 Buffalo Bills (11-5)Dec 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) walks off of the field after a game against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Bills were this close to keeping pace with the New England Patriots, but weren’t able to convert a last-second two-point conversion in their 13-12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. After five straight AFC East championships, the Bills will now open Wild Card Weekend on the road as they look to finally get to the Super Bowl for the first time this century.

#1 New England Patriots (13-3)Dec 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

No one saw this coming after they finished 4-13 last year, but the New England Patriots are now AFC East champions after a five-year hiatus. They’re currently tied with the Denver Broncos for the best record in the NFL, but will likely have to play on Wild Card Weekend as they lose a tiebreaker to Denver.

What’s Next?Jan 5, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) talk on the field before the start of the game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

The New England Patriots will host the Miami Dolphins, while the Buffalo Bills will host the New York Jets on Sunday. The Patriots and Bills could be in a position to rest players depending on how other teams are approaching things on Sunday, so this will be an interesting week of strategy with playoff seeding on the line. We’ll see you next week for the last AFC East Power Rankings of the 2025 NFL season!

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