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Patriots are early contenders in AFC East after years of being on the outside
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, center, celebrates with players after a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. - photo by AP Photo/Adrian Kraus
Mike Vrabel didn’t shy away from calling the Patriots’ matchup with defending AFC East champion Buffalo a chance to gauge where they were at this point in the season. New England’s response on the field — a 23-20 win over the previously undefeated Bills — underscored a confidence that the Patriots coach said he already had in a group that announced itself as a division contender after years of being out of the mix. This marks the first time since 2019 that the Patriots (3-2) have opened the season 2-0 in AFC East play.