There have been 33 games played in the 2025 NFL season, and so far it’s hard to argue against the Buffalo Bills as the top team in the AFC. They are one of just four unbeaten teams in the conference—albeit with an extra game played—joining the Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, and Indianapolis Colts.
The Bengals’ 2025 season has epitomized the phrase “won the battle but lost the war.” Their 2-0 record is overshadowed by the loss of star quarterback Joe Burrow, who will be out until December with grade 3 turf toe. The Chargers have impressed as well, but they have yet to win a single playoff game—or even their division—during the Justin Herbert era. Meanwhile, the Colts have been a pleasant surprise, looking historically efficient on offense through two games, but Daniel Jones still has to prove he can sustain that success.
Since 2020, the Bills have captured the AFC East every season and are well on their way to a sixth straight division title. They share the division with the lackluster Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, as well as the New England Patriots, who, while trending upward, are not yet true contenders.
In this span, Buffalo has won at least one playoff game every year and has twice reached the AFC Championship Game. Their offense is a well-oiled machine, averaging 34 points per game through three contests. Reigning MVP quarterback Josh Allen has been exceptional—throwing five touchdowns, running for two, and avoiding both interceptions and fumbles.
Bills look like early AFC favorites, but Chiefs’ looming reinforcements could tighten the race
Allen’s accuracy (69.7% completion rate) and efficiency (108.8 passer rating) have steadily improved, and when paired with his rare blend of athleticism, arm strength, and explosiveness, he’s nearly unstoppable. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Bills are currently the favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara on February 8—and that’s hard to dispute based on what we’ve seen.
Still, Buffalo’s 31-21 victory over the Dolphins on Thursday Night Football showed that even the NFL’s elite have flaws. The offense excelled, with Allen tossing three touchdowns and completing nearly 80% of his passes by patiently taking what Miami’s defense offered.
But the Bills’ defense and special teams left plenty to be desired. Buffalo allowed a struggling Dolphins team to score 21 points, rush for 130 yards on 25 carries, and convert 10 of 15 third downs. Miami head coach Mike McDaniel, who some believed was coaching for his job, consistently schemed open receivers. On both of Miami’s passing touchdowns, Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill were wide open. The Bills also failed to generate a pass rush, finishing with zero sacks on Tua Tagovailoa.
Special teams also stumbled. On the game’s opening play, Buffalo’s coverage unit allowed a 54-yard kick return by D’Wayne Eskridge, setting up an early Dolphins touchdown. Veteran kicker Matt Prater then badly missed a 39-yard field goal on Buffalo’s final first-half possession, allowing Miami to tie the game before halftime.
And while the Bills were mostly efficient on offense, they stalled in the second half against a defense that had surrendered 33 points in each of its first two games. Buffalo punted on three straight drives until a roughing-the-punter penalty on Dolphins lineman Zach Seiler extended a series, setting up the go-ahead touchdown: a swing pass from Allen to Khalil Shakir. A late interception by linebacker Terrell Bernard paved the way for Prater’s 48-yard dagger that sealed the 10-point win.
So what does all of this mean for the Kansas City Chiefs?
The takeaway is that while the Bills are clearly the superior team right now, they don’t look unbeatable. Buffalo’s defense—aside from a dominant outing against the hapless Jets—has lacked consistency. In their thrilling Week 1 win over the Ravens, Allen’s fourth-quarter heroics overshadowed a shaky defensive showing that allowed 40 points, 432 total yards, and 238 rushing yards on 29 carries. Derrick Henry rumbled for 169 yards on 18 carries, while Lamar Jackson completed 14 of 19 passes for 209 yards and ran six times for 70 yards and a touchdown. Baltimore averaged a staggering 8.6 yards per play.
For the Chiefs, reinforcements are on the way. Rookie wideout Xavier Worthy’s shoulder injury, suffered on the first drive of the season, appears less serious than feared. Rashee Rice will return from suspension in the Week 7 matchup with the Raiders.
Kansas City’s defense also flashed potential in their Super Bowl rematch with the Eagles, limiting Jalen Hurts to 101 passing yards and holding Philadelphia to just 3.6 yards per play. But the Chiefs’ offense has leaned too heavily on Patrick Mahomes’ heroics, struggled to run the football, and committed too many offensive line penalties. A poor defensive showing in Week 1 helped lead to the team’s first 0-2 start since 2014.
Still, given Kansas City’s sustained success, it’s premature to count them out. If Rice and Worthy can spark the offense, the running game improves, and the defense continues its Week 2 form, the gap between the Chiefs and Bills could narrow quickly, putting Kansas City firmly back in the Super Bowl conversation.
First, though, none of it matters without a win over the Giants on Sunday night.