The Buffalo Bills division is one of the most difficult in the league, despite the fact that the squad has now captured three straight AFC East titles for the first time since they won four consecutive from 1988-1991. Winning your division is no easy feat, and winning it multiple years in a row is even more challenging. With that in mind, it’s easy to wonder if they can do it again, which is why we’re breaking down the Buffalo Bills division outlook for 2023.

2023 Bills Division Outlook

While they have had an impressive roster the last several seasons, including one of the best QBs in the league in Josh Allen, many people chalk the Bills’ victories up to them being the leaders of a relatively easy division. Is that true? Well, it’s no secret that the New England Patriots have not been the same since Brady left the franchise in 2020, but that’s just one team, and there are three others in the division after all, so let’s take a look.

New England Patriots

Patriots QB Mac Jones (10) – Maddie Myer/Getty Images

As we just discussed, the Pats have had their fair share of problems over the last three seasons. It doesn’t take a football wizard to tell you that that has certainly helped the Bills to secure the AFC East title year after year. In fact, Buffalo has defeated New England six out of the last seven times they met, including one playoff blowout, since 2020.

Nevertheless, every season brings a different team and a clean slate. We can almost waive off the Bills’ two wins last year, considering the Patriots’ offensive coaching debacle of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. Returning OC and Quarterbacks Coach Bill O’Brien, who served in the same role for the team from 2007-2011, is certainly breathing new life into an offense that desperately needs it.

Of course, Mac Jones is not exactly Tom Brady, and the team is much different than it was during O’Brien’s last go-around in Foxborough. Still, the franchise has made some small off-season splashes, grabbing TE Mike Gesicki and OT Calvin Anderson in free agency. There is no overlooking starting RB Rhamondre Stevenson and the specimen that he is either, so it’s fairly safe to say that altogether, this is going to be a much better group this year.

While the offense is in better shape, and the defense remains pretty dominant as well, the Bills have not exactly been sitting on their hands this offseason. As was noted in the Buffalo Bills 2023 Game-By-Game Predictions, I think they sweep their bitter rivals at least one more time this season.

Miami Dolphins

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (1), WR Jalen Waddle (17) – Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Slated to be the fastest team in not only the AFC East, or even the AFC, but probably the entire NFL, the Dolphins are looking to make a serious statement this year. Not that they didn’t make a pretty big one last year when they signed Tyreek Hill, creating one of the best WR tandems in the league with Jalen Waddle.

Continuity is key, however, and considering that this team is very much the same as they were one year ago, except with more experience, they are not going to be an easy opponent for anyone. The only real question mark is the health of QB Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered, let’s say, multiple concussions last year.

It’s been all over the news that Tua has been taking Jujitsu lessons to learn how to fall better, which is definitely a good idea. Although one still can’t help but wonder how long he will be able to stay on the field, if he does, there’s no doubt they will be winning some games. When it comes to playing against Buffalo, however, I believe they will split at best.

New York Jets

Jets WR Garrett Wilson (17) – Mike Stobe/Getty Images

The recently named focus of HBO’s 2023 Hard Knocks has quite literally dominated sports headlines since they signed veteran signal-caller Aaron Rodgers back in April. The praise might be a little premature, but it’s warranted as the 39-year-old quarterback is still one of the best in the league and a vast upgrade over the duo of Zach Wilson and Mike White from last year.

Besides Rodgers, the squad also has one of the best young receivers in Garrett Wilson, one of the best young corners in Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, and one of the best young defensive tackles in recently (massively) extended Quinnen Williams. Barring any unforeseen setbacks, the Jets are primed to be a serious force in the AFC East in 2023.

I initially had the Bills sweeping the Jets, but the more I look at this team, the harder that prediction is to set in stone. A split would not be a surprise. I’m keeping the Bills as the victors in both matches, but these are going to be dogfights not easily won in the final minutes.

Recap

The Buffalo Bills division outlook for 2023 is looking good in consideration of their offseason moves and the continuity of their skill positions. The defense is going to look a little different, with McDermott calling the plays on that side of the ball, but all the pieces are still in place. There is no doubt that the AFC is one of the toughest, if not the toughest, divisions in the sport right now, and the Bills are ready to own it… Again.

Bills 35 at Jets 31 (MNF) W

Bills 27 vs. Dolphins 24 W

Bills 38 at Patriots 19 W

Bills 27 vs. Jets 24 W

Bills 24 vs. Patriots 14 W

Bills 17 at Dolphins 25 L