The Patriots rebuilt quickly. They’d collapsed under the immense weight of owner Robert Kraft’s and Belichick’s expectations and too few victories to bolster them. Kraft last year replaced Belichick with former Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo, and the club continued to crater.

NFL analyst Rob Gronkowski picks the Patriots to beat the Bills and win the AFC, even though New England has only two wins over teams with a winning record.

Josh Allen broke the NFL's all-time rushing touchdown record for a quarterback, tallying his 76th career rushing score in the win, but it was his constant interaction with Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward that got the most attention both during and after the game.

After the Pro Football Hall of Fame named Belichick, 73, and Kraft, 84, as finalists in the 2026 Hall of Fame Class on Wednesday, Dec. 3, the former Patriots head coach issued a statement thanking the committee and his fellow honorees, including Kraft.

Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft, two of the key pillars in the New England Patriots’ dynasty, were picked as finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Belichick was picked as the coaching candidate and Kraft was picked as the contributor in results announced on Wednesday.