Since the 2020 season, the AFC East has been dominated by the Buffalo Bills, picking up where the Patriots left off and what Tom Brady's departure handed them on a silver platter. They were five-time divisional champions, and while that was impressive, they failed to capitalize on the opportunity and never made the Super Bowl.
In fact, they only made the AFC Championship game once in that span, and before they knew it, the Patriots were back on the map and swiftly regained their throne at the top, giving them the most competition in the division they've faced in the last five years.
It wasn't something anyone imagined would happen in 2025, mostly because it was only Drake Maye's second season, with a second offensive coordinator, and a head coach in his first year with the team. But they managed to win the division, make the playoffs, and represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
Now, the Bills are scrambling to do what it takes to regain control of the AFC East, and they're clinging to something as minuscule as a chaotic travel schedule to impact the Patriots enough in their favor.
The Bills are holding out hope for almost anything to help them beat the Patriots in 2026
With the Patriots traveling to Germany to face the Lions in Week 10, as well as making a few trips out west to face some West Coast teams (plus the Chiefs), they are currently ranked 5th in the NFL for most miles traveled during the 2026 season.
The Bills are set to travel a lot, too, but not as much as their biggest rival, and because of that, their fans are already hoping the steep travel schedule will negatively impact the Patriots, as shared by Alex Brasky of Sports Illustrated.
Because they will probably need all the help they can get after the Patriots accomplished what they couldn't last year by reaching the Super Bowl, it makes sense that something as seemingly unimportant as miles traveled will become more important to Buffalo.
They face just as stiff competition as New England, so their schedule isn't that much easier, and from what they've done this offseason, their roster doesn't appear all that impressive or upgraded from their 2025 group.
That isn't the case with the Patriots, which is a nightmare scenario for their closest competition, leading them to cross their fingers and toes that a lot of plane rides will take their toll on the team and impact their performance.
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