NFL Week 2 Preview: 7 AFC Teams That Must Keep Momentum Going

In sports, momentum is everything.

It can be your best friend or your worst enemy. It is the same force that helped the New York Jets rally against the Dallas Cowboys, and at the same time prevented the Cowboys from being able to hold them off.

These AFC teams all have momentum on their side after picking up big wins in Week 1. And all of them need to keep the ball rolling if they are going to have successful seasons in 2011.

Without further ado, here are the seven AFC teams who must keep winning, ranked in order of the importance of their Week 2 games in regard to the outcome of their seasons.

7. Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Dalton was having a nice debut before being knocked out his opening game against the Cleveland Browns. Dalton was 10-for-15 for 81 yards and a touchdown. While the team carried on to victory without him, it's good that he is expected back in Week 2.

The fledgling Cincinnati Bengals were expected to be pretty pitiful this season, as they were finally left by Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco. However, if Dalton can continue to play well, and some of the rookies (like A.J. Green) come along, they could surprise people.

With games against the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers upcoming, the Bengals have a bit of an opening. They need to win games now, before the much harder second half of their schedule arrives.

6. Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens may seem like a strange placement on this list, as they look like a sure bet for a playoff spot, especially after dismantling the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1.

However, the fact of the matter is the Steelers are not going away, and the Ravens need to stay focused each and every week if they want to secure their first AFC North title since 2006.

Of the AFC teams that are likely in Super Bowl contention, the Ravens seem like the one that needs home-field advantage the most. The New York Jets have shown they thrive on the road, and the Steelers and New England Patriots have established quarterbacks and coaches.

11-5 was not good enough to secure it a season ago, so we should assume it won't be good enough in 2011. The Ravens need to focus on every game. This week, Joe Flacco and Co. need to avoid a hangover against the Tennessee Titans.

5. Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers perhaps finally shook their reputation as perennial early-season underachievers with a comeback win against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday.

Philip Rivers threw for 335 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions. The defense was stout, holding Donovan McNabb to a woeful 39 yards passing.

This week's matchup against the New England Patriots obviously presents a huge challenge. Still, if the Chargers are a playoff team, they should be able to win it.

In the past three seasons, the Chargers have started 3-5, 2-3 and 2-5, despite amassing a 30-18 record overall. They don't want to fall back into the habit that cost them a playoff spot a season ago and almost cost them one in 2008-2009.

4. Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville Jaguars

Everyone scoffed when the Jacksonville Jaguars, apparently taking a leaf out of the Al Davis team management handbook, cut quarterback David Garrard right before the season opener.

But then Luke McCown came in and managed the game (somewhat) well, and the Jaguars snuck by the Tennessee Titans.

There were several positives to take from this game besides the win. The defense held the "53 Million Dollar Man" Chris Johnson to just 24 yards. Conversely, Maurice Jones-Drew's production didn't seem to be hurt by the minimized passing threat, as he rushed for 97 yards.

The Jaguars face the New York Jets next, and if they win that one they could be looking at a 3-0 start (as the Carolina Panthers are their third opponent). With Peyton Manning out, the AFC South is up for grabs. A steal against the Jets would be huge in keeping the Jaguars in the hunt.

3. Darren McFadden and the Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders continued their dominance over their fellow AFC West teams Monday night, defeating the Denver Broncos 23-20.

The good news is the Raiders succeeded in keeping the Broncos offense out of the end zone for over three and half quarters. The defense forced three Denver turnovers, and Darren McFadden rushed for 150 yards.

The bad news is they did all this against the hapless Denver Broncos. The Raiders travel to face the Buffalo Bills this weekend, a team that looks like a much more challenging opponent than everyone thought.

The Raiders need this one badly. They have to start beating non-division opponents if they are going to have any chance at the playoffs. Also, with the New England Patriots and New York Jets coming to town in Weeks 3 and 4, they definitely don't want to chance a 1-3 start.

2. Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Buffalo Bills

Ryan Fitzpatrick took the entire sports world by surprise Sunday when he led the Buffalo Bills with arguably the best opening-week performance in the entire NFL.

Against a defense that boasts the likes of Tamba Hali, Brandon Flowers and Eric Berry (though not for the rest of this season), Fitzpatrick displayed the precision of a surgeon, completing 17-of-25 passes for 208 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The defense was likewise solid, forcing a Matt Cassel interception and a Jamaal Charles fumble while holding the Kansas City Chiefs to just 213 total yards.

The Bills have a home game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday. With games against the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles upcoming, this is a must-win. Starting 2-0 would be a huge first step in reviving a team that hasn't visited the playoffs since the dreaded "Music City Miracle."

1. Andre Johnson and the Houston Texans

The Houston Texans' window of opportunity is finally open. Peyton Manning is out of sight, and the AFC South is finally theirs for the taking. The Texans solidified that belief Sunday in (fittingly) stomping the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans outgained the Colts 384 to 236.

Perhaps the best news for Texans fans is they didn't play perfectly. Matt Schaub threw two interceptions, one of which went inexplicably through the hands of Andre Johnson, and they were without Arian Foster.

Still, the worst thing for Houston right now would be overconfidence. Yes, Manning is gone, but the AFC South is not theirs yet. The five-game stretch upcoming for Houston is brutal, with the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens.

This Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins is huge, as the Texans will be hard-pressed to squeak more than two wins out of their next four after it.