Week 4 AFC predictions: Struggling Bengals crater, however these AFC North RBs will not

Change can are available in a flash within the NFL. 

Look no additional than Cincinnati, the place the Joe Burrow-powered Bengals are 0-3, and Miami (1-2), the place the lack of QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) has rocked the franchise. 

Will Cincinnati lastly flip the nook on the highway at Carolina, the place former Bengals QB Andy Dalton will begin? Could the Dolphins flip to one other QB to exchange Tagovailoa?

Ahead of Week 4 video games, Yardbarker NFL writers supply a prediction for each AFC group.

BUFFALO BILLS (3-0) | QB Josh Allen enjoys a 300-yard, three-TD efficiency | Allen solidified himself because the early MVP front-runner throughout Buffalo’s Week 3 drubbing of Jacksonville, throwing for 263 yards and 4 touchdowns earlier than being changed by Mitch Trubisky early within the fourth quarter. The two-time Pro Bowler shouldn’t solely carry that momentum right into a pivotal highway conflict with Baltimore, however he must also be much more productive. The Ravens have allowed essentially the most passing yards this season (946).

MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-2) | Tyler Huntley begins at QB, throws two landing passes | After watching fill-in starter Skylar Thompson depart a 24-3 highway loss to the Seahawks in Week 3 with a rib harm, the Dolphins could possibly be compelled to begin their third completely different QB. Thompson’s backup, Tim Boyle, additionally struggled mightily towards Seattle, so Miami ought to flip to the just lately acquired Huntley, who’s positioned to have a productive outing at house towards the struggling Titans due to Miami’s stellar receiving corps.

NEW YORK JETS (2-1) | QB Aaron Rodgers takes a slight step again | Rodgers turned again the clock throughout in a Week 3 house win over the Patriots, throwing for 281 yards and two touchdowns, however the four-time MVP should not have as a lot success at house towards a formidable Broncos cross protection. Considering Denver has allowed the fewest passing yards per recreation (150.33) thus far this season, anticipate Rodgers to cross for lower than 190 yards, simply as he did in Weeks 1 and a couple of.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-2) | Offensive line’s struggles proceed | After permitting only one sack within the opener, the offensive line has allowed 10 sacks over the previous two video games, the fourth most amongst groups throughout that span. Although DT Javon Hargrave is out with a probable season-ending triceps harm, the 49ers’ rush ought to have little hassle at house gathering 5 sacks towards New England in what looks like a get-right recreation for San Francisco. — Colum Dell

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS (1-2) | CB Patrick Surtain II holds Jets WR Garrett Wilson to 50 receiving yards or much less | Per Pro Football Focus, Surtain has solely allowed six receptions for 63 yards and no TDs in three video games. He will shut down Wilson — who has averaged a career-low 10 yards per reception by means of three video games — in Sunday’s highway matchup towards New York (2-1). 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-0) | TE Travis Kelce catches his first landing | Through three video games, Kelce solely has eight receptions for 69 yards, however he’ll rebound in Sunday’s highway recreation towards the Chargers. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Kris Rhim reported the league upheld its one-game suspension for Chargers security Derwin James Jr. for repeatedly violating participant security guidelines. James’ absence will permit Kelce to take advantage of L.A.’s shorthanded secondary. 

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-2) | QB Gardner Minshew II throws for 2 TDs | Per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Vegas is sticking with Minshew as its starter, regardless of Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce just lately suggesting backup QB Aidan O’Connell could exchange him. Minshew will present why he deserves to maintain his job in Sunday’s house recreation vs. Cleveland (1-2), which ranks twentieth within the league in factors allowed (22.3). 

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-1) | Offense fails to attain 20 factors for second consecutive recreation | On Monday, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed X-rays had been detrimental for the ankle of beginning QB Justin Herbert, whom he expects to endure an MRI. Whether Herbert performs or not, L.A. will wrestle at house towards the Chiefs, who’ve held the Chargers to 17 factors or much less of their previous two video games. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-2) | CB Nate Wiggins data first INT | The protection is permitting the fewest dashing yards per recreation (50) within the league. That means it should probably be as much as quarterback Josh Allen’s passing to win the sport for the Bills (3-0). Allen, who has seven TD passes and nil interceptions this season, will welcome that problem, however it should give Wiggins extra alternatives to make his first profession interception towards Buffalo, which lacks a transparent No. 1 broad receiver.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-3) | Fall to 0-4 as defensive struggles proceed | The Bengals are 0-3 for the primary time within the Joe Burrow period, nevertheless it’s not due to him (746 yards passing, 5 TDs and nil interceptions). Carolina (1-2) appears rejuvenated at QB with Andy Dalton, who put up 36 factors on a superb Raiders protection in Week 3. The former Bengal may rating much more at house towards Cincinnati’s struggling protection, which allowed 38 factors to a younger Commanders group in Week 3. 

CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-2) | RB Jerome Ford doubles common yards per recreation | The Browns (1-2) had numerous confidence in Ford after he rushed for 813 yards and 4 touchdowns in reduction for the injured Nick Chubb final season. Through three video games, nevertheless, he’s averaging roughly 48 dashing yards per recreation. That ought to change this week on the Raiders (1-2), who’re permitting the fifth-most dashing yards per recreation (152.7) within the league.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (3-0) | RB Najee Harris has 150-yard outing | Harris hasn’t rushed for greater than 70 yards in a recreation this season, however he has an ideal probability to greater than double that complete in Week 4 on the highway towards the Colts (1-2). Indianapolis is permitting the second-most dashing yards per recreation (179) and has already allowed two 150-yard rushers this season (Houston’s Joe Mixon with 159 and Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs with 151). Harris may have much more alternatives if hobbled working again Jaylen Warren, who was “pulled from the game” final week, is unable to play. — Aaron Becker

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS (2-1) | QB C.J. Stroud bounces again, posts first 300-yard outing of 2024 season | The Texans’ opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3), rank thirtieth (252.3 YPG) towards the cross, setting Stroud up properly for a rebound after a lackluster outing (20-of-31, 215 yards, one landing, two turnovers) towards the Minnesota Vikings throughout a 34-7 loss in Week 3. The second-year QB is 5-1 after a defeat, averaging 303.3 YPG and a 65.5 completion share. 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-2)  | RB Jonathan Taylor’s 100-yard streak ends | After recording solely 48 yards on 16 carries in Week 1, Taylor has surpassed the century mark in back-to-back video games, averaging 106.5 yards and 6 yards a carry. However, Taylor and the Colts can have hassle on the bottom at house towards the undefeated Steelers (3-0), who’ve allowed opponents to hurry for less than 71.3 yards per recreation, second fewest within the NFL behind the Baltimore Ravens (50).

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (0-3) | QB Trevor Lawrence will get benched | Following a 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on “Monday Night Football,” head coach Doug Pederson instructed reporters “everything’s on the table” relating to personnel adjustments. That consists of Lawrence. On the highway towards the Texans, Pederson’s endurance will lastly run out with the previous No. 1 choose, who has misplaced 9 consecutive begins and has a 52.8 completion share (thirtieth), the bottom of his four-year profession by means of the primary three video games of a season.

TENNESSEE TITANS (0-3) | Another turnover-fest for Will Levis | The Titans have the worst turnover differential within the NFL (-7) largely due to Levis, who has eight giveaweays. On Monday on the highway at Miami, the second-round choose will add to this complete of 16 turnovers in solely 12 NFL video games. — Mike Santa Barbara