Let’s get this season began.
In Week 1 within the AFC, count on massive video games from quarterbacks Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, rookie Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos and Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars and a brand new working again in Baltimore.
Earlier than Thursday’s night time Baltimore Ravens-Kansas Metropolis Chiefs opener, Yardbarker NFL writers provide a Week 1 prediction for each group within the AFC.
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS | WR Keon Coleman makes a much bigger influence than anticipated | The second-round choose disillusioned within the preseason, catching two passes for 20 yards in two video games, however he is well-positioned to take pleasure in a productive NFL debut in opposition to an underwhelming Cardinals secondary. Arizona gave up 32 receiving touchdowns final season, the third most within the NFL, so do not be stunned if the big-bodied wideout finds the top zone.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | RB De’Von Achane finishes as group’s third-leading receiver behind WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle | With simply 5 wideouts on its energetic roster, Miami will lean on Achane (997 yards from scrimmage, 11 whole TDs final season) to tackle extra accountability within the receiving recreation. Achane is an explosive, big-play risk who ought to thrive in opposition to a Jaguars protection that allowed the most receptions (109) and third-most receiving yards (771) to working backs in 2023.
NEW YORK JETS | Jets earn assertion win with protection | Though 49ers LT Trent Williams and WR Brandon Aiyuk are suiting up, their extended absences this offseason might result in San Francisco’s offense struggling, which New York’s formidable protection ought to be capable to capitalize on. Holding the 49ers to twenty factors or much less is feasible and must be sufficient for the Jets to win, contemplating QB Aaron Rodgers is 35-2 since 2016 when his protection has executed so, as identified by ESPN’s Mike Greenberg.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Retains issues shut with Cincinnati | Though the Patriots arguably have the worst roster within the NFL, do not count on them to get blown out by a doubtlessly Ja’Marr Chase-less Bengals group. No matter whether or not Chase performs, the Cincinnati offense might battle to search out its rhythm in QB Joe Burrow’s first recreation again from final season’s wrist harm, which units up a doable low-scoring affair. — Colum Dell
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS | Rookie quarterback Bo Nix throws two landing passes | Nix — who threw for 2 touchdowns in two preseason video games — ought to exploit Seattle’s shaky secondary. Final season, the Seahawks ranked twenty second within the league in passing yards (233 YPG) and twenty third in passer ranking (92.1) allowed.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Protection finishes with two or extra sacks |This offseason, the Ravens misplaced beginning proper sort out Morgan Moses (Jets) and beginning guards Kevin Zeitler (Lions) and John Simpson (Jets). On Thursday, Baltimore normal supervisor Eric DeCosta admitted the group’s younger O-line may need a number of “hiccups,” so don’t be stunned if it struggles in opposition to Kansas Metropolis, which completed second within the league in sacks (57) final season.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | WR Davante Adams logs 100-plus receiving yards | The wideout not too long ago advised FanDuel’s Kay Adams that the Chargers’ social media group received beneath his pores and skin when it posted an image of him subsequent to mock garbage-flavored Pop-Tarts in the course of the NFL’s schedule launch. The jab could inspire the six-time Professional Bowler, who has 34 receptions for 494 yards and 4 landing catches in his previous 4 video games in opposition to L.A.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws for lower than 250 yards | In 13 video games final season, Herbert averaged a career-low 241.1 passing yards per recreation. He could not get within the groove in opposition to the Raiders protection, which ranked twelfth within the league in passing yards allowed (212.4) final season. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS | Derrick Henry rushes for 100+ yards in debut | The one technique to beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs is by maintaining him off the sector as a lot as doable, and one of the best ways to do this is by working early and infrequently. The Ravens made positive to maintain the 30-year-old Henry contemporary by not taking part in him within the preseason, and it’ll repay in the course of the regular-season opener on Thursday night time.
CINCINNATI BENGALS | Joe Burrow throws for 350+ yards in return | Burrow threw for almost 350 yards in his final two full video games of the 2023 season earlier than struggling a season-ending wrist harm in Week 11. In opposition to the New England Patriots, the previous No. 1 general choose will choose up proper the place he left off as he appears to be like to “give individuals one thing to speak about” and remind everybody how good he’s.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | Jerry Jeudy has 100-plus receiving yards | With working again Nick Chubb nonetheless on injured reserve as he continues to recuperate from his 2023 season-ending knee harm, the Browns should attempt to beat the Dallas Cowboys via the air. Cleveland’s No. 1 broad receiver, Amari Cooper, will most likely see plenty of Professional Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs, however Jeudy has an opportunity to be a mismatch with cornerback Daron Bland out six to eight weeks with a foot harm.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS | T.J. Watt has three sacks to begin revenge tour | Watt was snubbed of his second NFL Defensive Participant of the Yr award final season after main the league with 19 sacks. The Steelers offense figures to get off to a rocky begin given its preseason struggles, so Watt may have many alternatives to get after 36-year-old Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who’s coming off a torn Achilles. — Aaron Becker
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS | Nico Collins information eight-plus catches and greater than 150 yards general | The 25-year-old wideout had a breakout season in 2023 (80 receptions, 1,297 yards, eight touchdowns), doing most of his injury in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts. In two video games in opposition to the division rival, Collins caught 16-of-18 targets for 341 yards and two touchdowns.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Jonathan Taylor rushes for 130-plus yards and a landing | The previous All-Professional working again hasn’t performed a full season in two years and will likely be keen to begin 2024 sizzling in opposition to one among his favourite opponents. Over six profession video games in opposition to the Houston Texans, Taylor has averaged 135 yards with seven whole touchdowns. He went off in his solely recreation in opposition to the defending AFC South champion final season, posting the second-highest dashing output of his profession (188 yards) in Week 18.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Trevor Lawrence throws three touchdowns | The Jaguars have surrounded their fourth-year quarterback with maybe essentially the most expertise of his profession, including pass-catchers Gabe Davis and first-round choose Brian Thomas Jr. to an offense that features wideout Christian Kirk, tight finish Evan Engram and working again Travis Etienne Jr. Wholesome after being banged up late within the 2023 season and contemporary off signing a five-year, $275 million contract extension, Lawrence will put these weapons to make use of in opposition to a Miami protection that ranked twenty fifth in passing touchdowns allowed a season in the past.
TENNESSEE TITANS | Jeffery Simmons sacks No. 1 choose Caleb Williams | Throughout a down 12 months in 2023, the standout defensive lineman had simply 5.5 sacks, however Simmons is almost assured to get fingers on the Chicago Bears rookie quarterback. The 2-time Professional Bowler has a sack in every of the previous three openers, notching 4 sacks and 5 QB hits general. — Mike Santa Barbara
