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The New England Patriots might have a more difficult schedule in 2026, but they are still viewed in good standing with a chance to repeat as AFC East champions.
NFL.com's Kevin Patra ranked every division champion from most to least vulnerable heading into the new season. Despite having one of the hardest schedules in the NFL on paper, the Patriots were ranked at No. 6, with only the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars viewed as less vulnerable as returning division champions.
Patra wrote:
"With the Dolphins rebuilding and the Jets still retooling, the AFC East looks -- on paper, in May -- like a two-horse race. The task for the Patriots is to fend off the Bills’ attempt to retake the division after a coaching restructure around Josh Allen. Buffalo has proven it's in it for the long haul. We need to see that from New England before suggesting the franchise will return to dominating the division like in the days of Tom Brady."
The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are both rebuilding teams with more questions than answers at the quarterback position. Tua Tagovailoa is gone in Miami, and the team gutted its roster this offseason to rebuild for the future. Meanwhile, the Jets are hanging their hopes on returning 35-year-old quarterback Geno Smith.
As expected, the division will likely come down between the Patriots with Drake Maye and the Buffalo Bills with Josh Allen. It's a two-horse race with both teams fighting for supremacy in the AFC East, while also jockeying for the best possible seeding in the playoffs.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Where Patriots stand in most/least vulnerable NFL division champions
Continue reading...
NFL.com's Kevin Patra ranked every division champion from most to least vulnerable heading into the new season. Despite having one of the hardest schedules in the NFL on paper, the Patriots were ranked at No. 6, with only the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars viewed as less vulnerable as returning division champions.
Patra wrote:
"With the Dolphins rebuilding and the Jets still retooling, the AFC East looks -- on paper, in May -- like a two-horse race. The task for the Patriots is to fend off the Bills’ attempt to retake the division after a coaching restructure around Josh Allen. Buffalo has proven it's in it for the long haul. We need to see that from New England before suggesting the franchise will return to dominating the division like in the days of Tom Brady."
The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are both rebuilding teams with more questions than answers at the quarterback position. Tua Tagovailoa is gone in Miami, and the team gutted its roster this offseason to rebuild for the future. Meanwhile, the Jets are hanging their hopes on returning 35-year-old quarterback Geno Smith.
As expected, the division will likely come down between the Patriots with Drake Maye and the Buffalo Bills with Josh Allen. It's a two-horse race with both teams fighting for supremacy in the AFC East, while also jockeying for the best possible seeding in the playoffs.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Where Patriots stand in most/least vulnerable NFL division champions
Continue reading...
