Brief

Buffalo Bills rank their eight biggest rivals as they chase a lead on Patriots

A Bleacher Report ranking lists the Bills' top historic foes while the team aims to widen its early‑season gap on the Patriots.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 02 Oct 2026 18:09:26 GMT

Bleacher Report published a ranking of the Buffalo Bills' eight biggest rivals on Oct. 2, 2026, as the Bills sit 3‑0 and look to extend a potential 3.5‑game lead over the New England Patriots.

What happened

The outlet listed the rivals in descending order, starting with the Indianapolis Colts at No. 8 and ending with the Dallas Cowboys at No. 3, noting key moments that have defined each matchup. The article highlights that the Bills lost to the Patriots in Orchard Park about a year ago and have not beaten New England by more than a single score since 2022.

What the reports add

Bleacher Report points out that the Colts rivalry faded after the 2002 realignment, though the teams met in a 27‑24 wild‑card win for Buffalo in 2020 and a 2017 "Snow Bowl" overtime victory in Orchard Park. The Baltimore Ravens are described as a modern rivalry, with both franchises drafting franchise quarterbacks in 2018 and meeting in close contests, including a 41‑40 Bills win in the 2025 season opener and a 27‑25 playoff victory in 2024. The Cowboys are noted for historic ties to the Bills' early‑90s Super Bowl runs, though the article cuts off before completing the Cowboys section.

What was said

The piece contains no direct quotations; all observations are presented as narrative commentary by Bleacher Report.

How it came about

The ranking arrives amid a "Patriots week" for Buffalo, with the Bills hoping to solidify a lead over New England early in the 2026 NFL season. Earlier Felo News coverage of the Bills' season opener and the Patriots rivalry can be found in our recent reports on the AFC East race.

Key facts

The Bills are 3‑0 and could open a 3.5‑game lead over the Patriots if they win the upcoming game. (bleacherreport.com)
Bleacher Report ranked the Indianapolis Colts as the Bills' eighth biggest rival. (bleacherreport.com)
The Bills beat the Ravens 27‑25 in the 2024 playoffs, their second postseason clash this decade. (bleacherreport.com)
The Bills lost to the Patriots in Orchard Park about a year ago and have not beaten them by more than a single score since 2022. (bleacherreport.com)