Patriots' division rivals prove to be a handful

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The Patriots are currently 10-4, with full control of their destiny as they try to cruise their way to maintaining the #2 seed in the AFC. This sounds great, but not nearly as good as stealing the #1 seed from the Denver Broncos, which the Pats could have done before their stunning loss to the Miami Dolphins yesterday. That was the second loss of the season to a division opponent, the first being to the New York Jets in Week 7.

The AFC East has been under the control of Belichick and company since his second year as head coach in New England. The Patriots have won the division title 10 of the last 12 years, with all signs pointing to them taking the crown again this season. Though the division has not necessarily been the strongest over the past few years, it definitely looks like the Jets, Dolphins and Bills all love to bring their A-game when going against their hated division rival.

Last season was a different story, the Pats swept the division as they beat each of these three teams two times. This season though, the games have been uncomfortably close with the Pats on the unfamiliar losing side of the results. So far, they are 1-1 against the Dolphins and Jets, and 1-0 against the Bills with their second meeting coming up in the last week of the regular season. Every division game this season has been fairly close, with only one being decided by more than 3 points.

With a banged up squad, the Patriots are truly in need of the bye week that they would be awarded if they hold on to the #2 seed. However, the Buffalo Bills will be looking to spoil these hopes come Week 17. Though they did not make the playoffs, that would make a victory against the division king Patriots even sweeter as the Bills will refuse to be a stepping stone. If they removed the bye week privileges from the Pats and the injury-riddled team were then bounced in the first round, you can be sure that the Bills would be celebrating. What we all have learned from the AFC East this season is that no matter who the favorite is, when it is a division game then all bets are off.

Anthony Aidonidis
@aidonidis18