AFC West report card | NFC West report card | AFC South report card | NFC South report card The AFC East was supposed to be a fait accompli last year. The Bills were going to roll through the division for their sixth consecutive crown. But the Patriots showed up and not only won the AFC East but represented the conference in the Super Bowl before falling to the Seahawks in Santa Clara.  Moving into 2026, New England and Buffalo are expected to be the main contenders for the top spot in the East. Drake Maye is coming off a second-team All-Pro campaign in which he threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns against eight interceptions, and this offseason saw reinforcements come to the offensive line and his defense’s pass rush.  Meanwhile, the Bills have arguably the league’s top player, quarterback Josh Allen, as well as a first-time head coach, Joe Brady.…