Week 2 AFC predictions: Expect a bounce-back for Joe Burrow, but not this other AFC North QB

With Week 1 of the NFL season far in the rearview, let's focus on Week 2, when several teams (Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets) will be aiming to avoid disastrous starts.

Will Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes throw for 300 yards? Will Bengals QB Joe Burrow bounce back? Will Deshaun Watson's struggles continue with the Browns? 

Yardbarker NFL writers offer a Week 2 prediction for every team in the AFC.

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS | QB Josh Allen strengthens early MVP bid | After racking up 271 total yards and four touchdowns in a come-from-behind Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Allen is poised to solidify himself as the early front-runner for the MVP award during Thursday's road matchup against Miami. He's dealing with a left hand injury and he might not run as much as usual, but the two-time Pro Bowler should be able to do plenty of damage passing. Expect three touchdown passes.

MIAMI DOLPHINS | Rookie RB Jaylen Wright leads team in rushing | With Raheem Mostert (chest) ruled out for Thursday and De'Von Achane (ankle) listed as a game-time decision, explosive fourth-round pick Wright is set to make his NFL debut. Wright, who rushed for 91 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries in the preseason, is positioned to make a significant impact against a Bills defense that allowed 124 yards rushing in Week 1. 

NEW YORK JETS | Defense turns things around against Titans |The typically formidable defense was a major disappointment during a blowout "Monday Night Football" loss to San Francisco, allowing 32 points and 401 total yards while generating just three pressures. Expect New York's defense to look more like the unit we've seen in years past on Sunday, posting three sacks and forcing a turnover on the road against a Tennessee offense that choked away a Week 1 win against the Chicago Bears. 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | CB Christian Gonzalez keeps Seahawks WR DK Metcalf in check | Gonzalez, a 2023 first-round pick, stood out during New England's Week 1 road upset win over Cincinnati, limiting Bengals star wideout Ja’Marr Chase to just three catches for 14 yards on 20 snaps in coverage. The Oregon product is quickly establishing himself as one of the NFL's top young cornerbacks and his success should continue against Seattle in New England's home opener. Don't be surprised if Gonzalez holds Metcalf under 40 yards.  — Colum Dell

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS | Broncos RBs fail to run for 50-plus yards | In a 26-20 loss to Seattle in Week 1, Broncos RBs Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams combined for 50 yards on 18 carries. Expect them to get stymied at home against Pittsburgh, too. In their 18-10 win over Atlanta this past Sunday, the Steelers held Falcons star RB Bijan Robinson to 68 yards on 18 carries.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | QB Patrick Mahomes throws for 300 yards | Mahomes completed 20-of-28 passes for 291 yards, one touchdown and one pick in a 27-20 win over the Ravens. In a Monday news conference, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid hinted wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) may return for the home game against the Bengals, which should help Mahomes dismantle their secondary.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Raiders have two turnovers | In a 22-10 loss to the Chargers, the Raiders recorded three turnovers (two fumbles and one interception). Their ball-security issues will continue on the road against a Ravens defense that features linebacker Roquan Smith, who had one interception in a Week 1 loss to the Chiefs.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | RB J.K. Dobbins rushes for 100-plus yards | After rushing for 135 yards and one touchdown in a 22-10 win over the Raiders, Dobbins will have an encore performance on the road against Carolina. On Tuesday, the Panthers placed Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown (meniscus) on injured reserve, which should hinder their run defense. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS | Derrick Henry rushes for 100-plus yards | Henry had a disappointing 13 carries for 46 yards in his Ravens debut against the Chiefs last week, but head coach John Harbaugh said the Ravens didn’t sign him “to be the guy that gets the ball 30 times a game.” He might not need to be to reach 100 yards at home against the Raiders, who gave up 135 yards and a TD on 10 carries to former Baltimore RB J.K. Dobbins in Week 1.

CINCINNATI BENGALS | Joe Burrow bounces back with three TD passes | Burrow is coming off a disappointing Week 1 showing against the New England Patriots in which he threw for just 164 yards and zero touchdowns. In Kansas City, which was once temporarily nicknamed “Burrowhead,” the Cincinnati QB should come alive. Burrow has thrown for nine touchdowns to three interceptions and has a 3-1 record versus Kansas City.

CLEVELAND BROWNS | Deshaun Watson’s struggles continue |Watson had yet another poor showing in Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, throwing for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Speculation has begun that the Browns, who play at Jacksonville in Week 2, should turn to backup quarterback Jameis Winston. Another bad outing could influence Cleveland to do just that. 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | T.J. Watt builds upon early DPOY campaign | Watt proved why he is the NFL’s best defender in Week 1, registering four tackles (two for a loss), one sack and one fumble recovery against the Falcons. He would have had another two sacks and two forced fumbles in his stat column if it weren’t for penalties. He should continue to dominate in the trenches on the road against the Broncos,  whose offensive tackle Garett Bolles is battling injuries. Rookie QB Bo Nix is still getting adjusted to the NFL, too. — Aaron Becker

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS | Defense will sack rookie QB Caleb Williams three times | In Week 1 against a solid Indianapolis Colts offensive line, the Texans registered two sacks and two hits on mobile second-year QB Anthony Richardson. Houston's defensive line should eat in Week 2 at home against a Chicago Bears front that had a shaky performance in its opener vs. the Titans. Struggling RG Nate Davis got benched and the rest of the line allowed rookie QB Caleb Williams to be hit five times and sacked twice.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Defense will hold Green Bay Packers well under 150 yards rushing | After a rough Week 1 performance against the run in a 29-27 loss to the Texans (Joe Mixon had 159 yards and a TD), the Colts are in line for a bounce-back performance. With second-string QB Malik Willis likely playing in place of Jordan Love, who suffered an MCL injury in Week 1, Indianapolis can make Green Bay one-dimensional and limit RB Josh Jacobs' impact.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | RB Tank Bigsby will get the majority of carries over Travis Etienne | The third-year back led the team with 73 yards (6.1 YPA), earning 50 percent of the carries in Week 1. Conversely, Etienne recorded 44 yards (3.7 YPA) and committed a costly fumble at the goal line late in a 20-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins, only strengthening Bigsby’s case for more touches at home against the Browns.

TENNESSEE TITANS | RB Tony Pollard will post 100-plus rushing yards | Tennessee's Week 2 opponent, the New York Jets, opened the season recording the second-worst run-defense grade (41.3) in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus, allowing unheralded third-year back Jordan Mason to gut them for 147 yards (28 carries) and a touchdown in a 32-19 loss. That creates an excellent opportunity for Pollard to top the century mark at home against the Jets. In Week 1 against the Bears, he had 82 yards (16 carries, 5.1 YPA) and a touchdown. — Mike Santa Barbara