NFL Predictions Week 2: AFC Teams That Will Bounce Back After Opening Defeats

While some AFC teams such as the Denver Broncos showed promise in Week 1, others faltered to start off the 2012 season.

The good news is, three AFC teams that lost last week face bottom-of-the-barrel squads in Week 2.

One of these teams gets a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker back from suspension, another faces a team littered with rookies on a mediocre franchise and the other simply faces the worst team in football.

Omitting the Pittsburgh Steelers (I predicted their game against the New York Jets here), here are three AFC teams that will bounce back in Week 2.

Kansas City Chiefs (at Buffalo Bills)

The Chiefs may have been blown out by the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1, but there are some encouraging signs heading into Week 2.

First of all, the Chiefs get linebacker Tamba Hali back from suspension, even if they're still missing cornerback Brandon Flowers (who is currently listed as questionable).

As the Chiefs' top pass-rusher, Hali is a dynamic game-changer. Last season, he had 12 sacks, four forced fumbles and four tackles for loss. Although the Bills didn't allow any sacks in Week 1, they did allow five QB hits, which means there was some pressure put on quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

It wasn't all bad for the Chiefs in Week 1, either, despite the lopsided score. They have star Jamaal Charles back from injury (he rushed for 87 yards on 16 carries in Week 1). Meanwhile, using the electric Dexter McCluster as a slot receiver figures to pay dividends for them (six catches, 82 yards in Week 1).

Add the fact that the Bills allowed Mark Sanchez to throw for 266 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1, while not hitting him once, and Matt Cassel figures to have a better game than he did in the season-opener.

Prediction: Chiefs 27, Bills 21

Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)

Maybe some were getting ahead of themselves when they said the up-and-coming Bengals would win the AFC North this season, but the Bengals are certainly better than the Browns and I don't expect them to play as poorly moving forward.

You certainly can't chalk up Michael Vick's four interceptions in Week 1 against the Browns to poor play by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Browns deserve some credit, with two sacks and 11 QB hits.

However, the Browns don't have the defense of the Baltimore Ravens (who embarrassed the Bengals in Week 1), and they certainly don't have the offense.

As bad as Vick looked in Week 1, Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden looked worse. He went 12-of-35 for 118 yards (3.4 yards per attempt) and four interceptions against the Eagles.

Also, rookie Trent Richardson may still need some time to come back from injury (and adjust to the league). He had 19 carries for just 39 yards against Philadelphia.

The fact of the matter is, the Browns offense is ghastly right now and the Bengals still have Andy Dalton, A.J. Green and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Prediction: Bengals 24, Browns 13

Oakland Raiders (at Miami Dolphins)

The good news for the Raiders is that Carson Palmer didn't turn the ball over against the San Diego Chargers in Week 1.

The bad news is that he averaged a mediocre 6.5 yards per attempt, was sacked three times, hit five more and running back Darren McFadden rushed for just 32 yards on 15 carries.

The offensive line, minus Jared Veldheer, was deplorable in Week 1.

On the other hand, the Raiders are expected to get speedy wideout Denarius Moore back in Week 2 and the Miami Dolphins proved to be the worst team in the NFL in Week 1 against the Houston Texans.

In the 30-10 loss in Houston, rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill went 20-of-36 for 219 yards (6.1 yards per attempt) with three interceptions. He was sacked three times and hit four times and Brian Hartline led all Dolphins receivers with 50 yards.

When Reggie Bush stands out as the best player on your offense, you know you have problems.

The defensive line (which held Arian Foster to 79 yards on 26 carries) was legit, but everything else appeared to fall part for Miami.

Oakland is the lesser of two bads.

Prediction: Raiders 21, Dolphins 10

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