The AFC East has long been defined by the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, and the 2025 NFL schedule release only reinforces that narrative. For the first time since 2011, two of the Patriots' biggest rivals—the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins—have been denied a single prime-time game. That's right, no Sunday night, Monday night, or Thursday night showcases for either team.

This week's schedule release "day" turned into a full-blown circus, with leaks flooding social media days before official announcements. But the most telling development? NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell essentially opted out of featuring the AFC East's two weakest teams under the bright lights.

The Patriots, meanwhile, are set to star in five prime-time games, including the NFL Kickoff on Wednesday, Sept. 9, an international matchup, a Thursday Night Football clash, and a Monday Night Football trip to Kansas City. The Bills aren't far behind, with an early-season Thursday night game, two Monday night appearances, the Thanksgiving Day nightcap, and a Christmas Day showdown.

But for the Jets and Dolphins? Crickets. They join three other teams as the only five franchises not slated for a standalone game this season. It's a stark reminder of how far these two have fallen. Four of those five teams combined for just three wins last year. Miami managed seven, but since then, they've fired their head coach, traded their No. 1 wide receiver, and are expected to part ways with both Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. The rebuild is real.

For fans who remember when these teams commanded prime-time slots, this is a harsh reality check. And honestly? I'm grateful the league isn't forcing another Sunday night of watching Geno Smith under center. Sometimes, the best decision is knowing when to say no.