The preseason is finally over and the New York Jets are a little over a week away from their season opener at MetLife Stadium against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Expectations for the 2025 Jets under head coach Aaron Glenn are all over the place. While some feel pretty optimistic, there are others who believe it will be more of the same losing done under Robert Saleh.
The roster has been overhauled this offseason with younger, hungrier players with plenty of potential and Glenn will have plenty to prove in his first season as head coach of the team that drafted him with their first round pick in 1994.
However, the AFC East is not as strong as in previous seasons and for a new team with hopefully a new attitude, the Jets could surprise in their own division.
Jets Wire will take a look at each team in the AFC East for an in-depth analysis to see how they will fare in the standings.
For our first preview, we take a look at the team that will most likely win the division barring anything catastrophic with their franchise QB, the Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo Bills
2024 Record: 13-4 (First Place in the AFC East. Lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game).
Offense
There’s not much to say about the Bills offense that hasn’t already been said. As long as Josh Allen is healthy, they will win the division and be a favorite for the Super Bowl. The Bills did have some contract drama this offseason with one of their offensive stars as running back James Cook held out for most of the offseason looking for a new deal. Ultimately, both sides agreed to a four year, $48 million extension to keep Cook in Buffalo for the foreseeable future.
Cook was a beast last year with 16 touchdowns on the ground and his second straight 1,000 yard season. Buffalo has terrific depth in their backfield with Ray Davis, who averaged close to four yards a carry and three touchdowns during his rookie season as well as former Jet Ty Johnson, who is dangerous out of the backfield as a pass catcher, averaging over 15 yards per reception last year.
The Bills don’t have a true number one receiver, but they have plenty of options to choose from and Allen manages to get everyone involved in this offense. Khalil Shakir led the team in receiving yards in 2024 and he and Keon Coleman each had four touchdowns. Buffalo added former Charger Joshua Palmer as well as former Jet Elijah Moore to replace Mack Hollins and Amari Cooper. The Bills also have two quality options at tight end with Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, but it’s not a position they see much production.
Buffalo’s offensive line was the best in the league last year protecting their quarterback, allowing only 19 sacks. The entire offensive line remains intact with noted Jets hater Dion Dawkins anchoring the left side. Dawkins comments about the Jets will always make the matchups between these two teams fun to watch and they’ll face each other early in the season when Buffalo visits MetLife Stadium in Week 2.
Defense
The Bills defense was good last season, but far from elite. They ranked 17th in yards allowed per game with 341.5 and were better against the run (11th) than the pass (24th). However, they were tops in the league in turnover differential with a +24, well ahead of the Steelers, who were second with a +16.
The Bills don’t have an elite pass rusher on their defense, but they have multiple players who can get after the quarterback. Greg Rousseau led the team with eight sacks. AJ Epenesa and Von Miller each finished with six. Miller is now in Washington and replaced with Joey Bosa, who was released by the Chargers as a cap casualty. Bosa’s numbers have dropped since his last double digit sack season in 2021. He’s only played 28 games over his past three seasons due to various injuries. Buffalo is hoping that a change of scenery will do wonders for Bosa, but his best days may be behind him.
The Bills made some minor moves in their secondary bringing back a familiar face in Tre’Davious White, who spent last season with the Ravens and the Rams. The former first-round pick played 11 games last season between both teams but wasn’t overly impressive. White is projected to be a starting corner opposite Christian Benford, who had two interceptions last year. The rest of the secondary is back for this season with Cole Bishop, Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin at safety and Taron Johnson as the nickel corner.
Prediction
12-5, First Place in the AFC East
The Bills will win their sixth straight AFC East title simply because neither the Dolphins, Patriots or Jets pose any legitimate threat. Plain and simple, the Bills will go as far as Josh Allen takes them.
But, something has to give with this Bills team. They’ve made it to the AFC Championship game in two out of their last five playoff appearances. Plenty would argue their roster is better than any of the other contenders and Josh Allen is on the same level as Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow. And yet, Allen and company still can’t clear the final hurdle and get to the Super Bowl.
Buffalo didn’t do much to improve their roster for this season, but they also didn’t need to. So, it’s officially on Sean McDermott, who’s the best coach this team has had since Marv Levy, to get this team to a Super Bowl and win the first Lombardi trophy in franchise history. McDermott is out of excuses. If the Bills fail to at least get to the Super Bowl in 2025, it may be time for a new voice to lead this team in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Previewing the New York Jets’ divisional rivals: Buffalo Bills