The Patriots are reigning AFC East champions in name only right now. At 1-2 and fresh off a 35-6 shellacking by Jacksonville, New England looks nothing like the team that won the division last year. The gap between what they were and what they are is the kind of thing that makes you question everything about a roster's construction—or whether Mike Vrabel's first season rebuild is moving too slowly.
Buffalo, meanwhile, is playing like one of the NFL's best teams. The Bills sit at 3-0 despite some unconvincing moments in their Week 3 squeaker over the Chargers. They've built depth, continuity, and a system that's humming. That's why sportsbooks have them as heavy favorites heading into Week 4. When you're 1-2 and facing a 3-0 team that's objectively executing better, the market doesn't lie.
Here's what matters: This isn't just about win-loss records. The Jaguars game exposed real problems. If Joshua Dobbs and the Patriots offense can't generate consistent pressure and scoring opportunities, they're going to get swept by Buffalo. The secondary, loaded with names like Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones, needs to be sharp. But scheme and personnel only take you so far when your offense is struggling to move the ball.
For a team chasing last year's magic, getting pushed around at home is a red flag. Vrabel and GM Eliot Wolf need to see a response—not moral victories, but actual execution. The Bills are good enough to expose every flaw in the Patriots' current roster if New England doesn't show up with urgency. This line reflects reality: Buffalo is the better team right now, and it's not particularly close.