Dolphins' Mike McDaniel: Buffalo Bills own the AFC East

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel praised the Buffalo Bills during Wednesday’s press conference leading up to the Thursday night divisional game.

McDaniel was asked if the AFC East is still the Bills’ division, and the third-year head coach simply replied, “Yes.”

He added, “If you want to do something in this league, generally you can’t skip over the much-mandated step to win your division. And there’s one team that’s won the division consecutive years… they own the division until someone takes it from them.”

It’s always refreshing to hear unbiased truth from members of opposing teams. If McDaniel was in the NFC, Bills fans would probably be more fond of him.

With that being said, this year is projected to be a close race to win the AFC East, much like last year. In 2023, the Bills needed to win their final five games and needed a couple of crucial Miami losses down the stretch to steal the division in Week 18. It was Buffalo’s fourth-straight season taking the AFC East crown.

This year should be similar, with many thinking the Jets have a chance to win it as well. But, as McDaniel said, it’s the Bills’ division until it isn’t.

Here is the full response from coach McDaniel: