No matter what happened on Sunday, the Buffalo Bills - enjoying their bye week this week - would have technically remained in last place. So, even though the New England Patriots held home field advantage and handed the Miami Dolphins their first division loss 27-17, the Dolphins' 3-5 record bests the Bills' 3-5 record because of Miami's 38-10 walloping of Buffalo in Week 4.
The Dolphins did, however, flex their muscles at Gillette Stadium, imposing their will for stretches and playing the Patriots as tough as expected. In a quarterbacks' league, however, Tom Brady will always trump Chad Henne, particularly when New England's passing weapons are much better than Miami's. Brady made a few big throws, Henne didn't, and the rest is history.
The New York Jets (4-4) joined Buffalo on the bye this week. New England now has a two-game lead over the Jets in the division, with the Bills and Dolphins three games out. Only the Patriots (2-1) and Dolphins (3-2) have multiple wins in the division, with the Bills (1-2) and Jets (1-3) bringing up the rear. The standings as the second half of the season commences:
| # | Team | Rec. | Div. |
| 1 | Patriots | 6-2 | 2-1 |
| 2 | Jets | 4-4 | 1-3 |
| 3 | Dolphins | 3-5 | 3-1 |
| 4 | Bills | 3-5 | 1-2 |