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Jerod Mayo's debut season as Patriots HC just got much easier with latest news

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Sophie Weller | Last updated 4/3/24

For years, the New England Patriots dominated the AFC East. However, with Tom Brady leaving, the Patriots fell off quickly, and the Buffalo Bills promptly stepped up and took over.

Yet, unlike the Patriots, the Bills were unable to get past one opponent during the playoffs and couldn't go on to win a Super Bowl. But now their chances have just gotten a lot harder.

And on the other side, things just got a lot easier for new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo. His chances of beating the Bills this season just got a lot better.

On Wednesday, the Bills traded star receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans along with a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick.

Compensation updates, per sources:

Bills receive 2025 second-round pick via Minnesota.

Texans receive Stefon Diggs and a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick. https://t.co/WlL4mAaavz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2024

So now Diggs is out of the AFC East and the Patriots will not have to face him twice a year. They are scheduled to host the Texans at home during the 2024 season, but once is a lot better than twice when it comes to having to defend Diggs.

Diggs is just the latest in a lot of major moves for the Bills this offseason. And it makes people question how competitive Buffalo will truly be next season.

Among the players the Bills now have moved on from this offseason…

WR Stefon Diggs
S Jordan Poyer
CB Tre’Davious White
C Mitch Morse
WR Gabriel Davis
LB Tyrel Dodson
LB Leonard Floyd https://t.co/WlL4mAaavz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2024

Is it finally the Miami Dolphins time to claim the AFC East title? Or will the Jets with Aaron Rodgers at the helm make a deep run? And of course, the Patriots could surprise everyone and take over once again with a rookie quarterback.

According to Draft Kings, the Bills still have the highest odds to win the AFC East at +160, but are closely followed by the Dolphins and the Jets at +200.

Unfortunately for Patriots, they are are +2500, so expectations are quite low.

Odds to win the AFC East post-Diggs trade:

- Bills +160
- Dolphins +200
- Jets +200
- Patriots +2500

(via @DraftKings)
— Chris Mason (@ByChrisMason) April 3, 2024

But anything is possible. And the path to a win over the Bills just got a bit easier.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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