Khalil Shakir Pushes Back on a New Era in the AFC East as the Patriots Challenge the Bills
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, a new father to a baby girl, fresh four-year contract extension in hand, and the face of a nationwide Kelley Blue Book campaign, isn’t ready to accept a fresh dawn for the AFC East.
This Sunday, the Bills travel to face the New England Patriots. The result could redefine the division: a Patriots win would crown them as the new AFC East champions, ending five straight years of division dominance by Buffalo.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 26: Khalil Shakir #10 of the Buffalo Bills warming up before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images)
Bills vs. Patriots: An Always-Intense Showdown
This game is a must-watch for fans. It’s also a high-stakes contest for the Bills, who already lost to New England earlier this season.
"I think for us, yeah, they came into Buffalo and they obviously got the W," Shakir told OutKick this week. "It’s natural to think of it as a revenge game. But for us, it’s more about them being our next opponent, and of course you want to win every game. We do a good job of keeping things in-house and staying true to who we are as a team. We believe we can beat anybody on any given day as long as we protect the ball and dial in on the small details all week.
We play them twice a year. It’s always going to be a wild game, no matter the records because we know each other so well. For us, it’s about going in, taking it one play at a time, executing the call, and then moving on to the next play when it’s done."
This matchup is shaping up to feel playoff-like, and the Bills are no strangers to that atmosphere. Whether the upstart Patriots can rise to the occasion remains to be seen.
In a wide-ranging conversation with OutKick this week, Shakir also touched on his performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, including an improbable touchdown grab, the looming Patriots game, the shared connections between the Bills and Patriots wide receivers, and his new association with Kelley Blue Book.
Week’s Bright Spots:
Buffalo Bills (9-4) @ New England Patriots (11-2)
Why It Matters: This is a pivotal AFC East clash. For Buffalo to clinch its sixth straight division title—and secure home-field advantage in the playoffs—they must win. If New England wins, they seize the AFC East.
What to Watch: Drake Maye’s duel with Josh Allen continues; Maye has drawn comparisons to Allen, making the quarterback showdown in this division’s top matchups even more intriguing.
Entertainment Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Narrative: The Bills inherited the role of division frontrunners from the Patriots in 2020 and have held it since. The Patriots appear ready to reclaim the title and could maintain that momentum, with ongoing growth on their side.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 09: Philip Rivers #17 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the first half of the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium on January 09, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Indianapolis Colts (8-5) @ Seattle Seahawks (10-3)
Why It Matters: The Seahawks chase a top NFC seed, while the Colts, dealing with quarterback injuries, fight to remain in the AFC Wild Card race.
What to Watch: Philip Rivers. Yes, that Philip Rivers—his return to action is a storyline in itself.
Entertainment Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Narrative: The Seahawks are an elite, every-Sunday kind of team. Watching a veteran Rivers in his first game since 2020 against a stout Seattle defense will be a compelling spectacle.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 16: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers will miss this week’s game vs. the Miami Dolphins. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins (6-7) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) (MNF)
Why It Matters: Each team needs a win to keep playoff hopes alive. The Steelers are contending for the AFC North lead, while the Dolphins’ playoff chances dim with every loss.
What to Watch: A personal vendetta narrative centers on Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who previously clashed with Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and was involved in a high-profile trade. It’s also a chance for Minkah Fitzpatrick, who moved from the Steelers to the Dolphins and back, to add another chapter to his career storyline.
Entertainment Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Narrative: The Dolphins have surged lately, winning five of six. Their playoff fate could hinge on sustaining momentum and perhaps testing the tenure of coach Mike McDaniel. The Steelers faced a setback when T.J. Watt was sidelined for this week due to a lung issue; their record in Watt-less games has reflected that absence.
