Bills Lead AFC Exec Survey; Patriots Flagged as Likely Regression Candidate

In a poll of six NFL executives published by The Athletic, the Buffalo Bills received four first-place votes as the AFC's best team, with Denver and Houston also earning top nods. The New England Patriots averaged fourth but drew mixed assessments, including one executive labeling them the conference's top regression risk due to a favorable 2025 schedule. Baltimore and Kansas City ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, with concerns about Lamar Jackson's and Patrick Mahomes' health, while Miami was nearly unanimous as the worst team.

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The Bills earned four of six first-place votes from participating executives, with Denver and Houston also receiving top nods. The Patriots averaged fourth but ranged from third to ninth, with one executive citing their favorable 2025 schedule as reason to expect regression.

Baltimore and Kansas City ranked fifth and sixth