Week 7 AFC predictions: C.J. Stroud posts huge game, this QB benched

Above-average QB play typically will keep a team in a game. If your team gets below-average QB or worse, that’s a recipe for disaster.

Ahead of the Week 7 schedule, Yardbarker NFL writers project ugly play from Titans QB Will Levis and Browns QB Deshaun Watson. Here are predictions for each AFC team:

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS (4-2) | QB Josh Allen finishes with more rushing TDs than passing TDs | The two-time Pro Bowler scored his first rushing touchdown since Week 1 during Monday’s road win over the New York Jets and he should continue to rely on his legs in Sunday’s home contest against the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee’s formidable defense has only allowed two passing touchdowns in the red zone, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Allen called his own number often, scoring twice on the ground and throwing for another TD.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-3) | WR Tyreek Hill leads in rushing yards |Since the injury-plagued Dolphins will still be without starting QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) during Sunday’s road clash with the Indianapolis Colts, it’s unlikely Hill (156 receiving yards in his last four games) will contribute much as a receiver. Expect Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel to scheme up designed runs for Hill to get him more involved and take advantage of a Colts defense that has allowed the most rushing yards through six games (931). 

NEW YORK JETS (2-4) | WR Davante Adams finds the end zone in Jets debut | The Jets swung a blockbuster deal Tuesday, acquiring Adams in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting the six-time Pro Bowler with his former Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. Adams, who missed his past three games with a hamstring injury, will play in Sunday’s road contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His connection with Rodgers should be on full display, with the wideout racking up 70 yards and a touchdown. 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-5) | QB Drake Maye builds on promising first start | Despite three turnovers in a 41-21 Week 6 home loss to Houston — his first career start — Maye flashed potential, throwing for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Considering the Jacksonville Jaguars have allowed the second-most passing yards (1,789) and the most passing touchdowns (14) in the NFL this season, Maye is well-positioned for another productive outing in this London matchup on Sunday. He’ll pass for at least 250 yards and two TDs.  — Colum Dell

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS (3-3) | HC Sean Payton regains play-calling wizardry in return to New Orleans | Payton — New Orleans Saints HC from 2006-21 — will prove he’s still an offensive mastermind in Thursday night’s road game. In a 51-27 Week 6 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2), New Orleans (2-4) allowed 594 yards, the second most in franchise history. Expect Denver to cross the 300-yard mark on offense for the third time this season. 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-0) | DT Chris Jones finishes with two-plus sacks | Jones — who ranks fifth in the NFL in pressures (28 in five games), per Pro Football Focus — will keep dominating in Sunday’s Super Bowl LVIII rematch in San Francisco. The 49ers (3-3) have allowed two or more sacks three times this season. 

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-4) | Rookie TE Brock Bowers has 100-plus receiving yards | Vegas will target Bowers more in Sunday’s road game against the Los Angeles Rams (1-4) after trading wideout Davante Adams to the New York Jets on Tuesday. Although Bowers hasn’t surpassed 100 receiving yards in a game this season, he should be able to dismantle an L.A. Rams defense which is 18th in passing yards allowed (216.2).

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (3-2) | QB Justin Herbert has 250-plus passing yards | Herbert had a season-high 237 passing yards in a 23-16 Week 6 win over the Broncos and will keep rolling in Monday night’s road game against the Arizona Cardinals (2-4). Over its past three games, Arizona has allowed 240.6 passing yards per game. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS (4-2) | WR Zay Flowers has third straight 100-yard receiving performance | It took Flowers a little bit to warm up this season (17 catches for 158 yards through the first four weeks), but the second-year WR has rocked in the past two games (16 catches for 243 yards). On “Monday Night Football” against Tampa Bay, Flowers has a good chance to have his third straight 100-yard receiving performance. The Buccaneers are allowing the fifth-most passing yards per game (252.3) in the NFL.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-4) | Chase Brown has first career 100-yard rushing game | Brown started taking the starting job from running back Zack Moss in Week 6 against the Giants, rushing for 53 yards on 10 carries (5.3 yards per carry) and a touchdown. Moss, meanwhile, ran for just 13 yards on six carries (2.2 yards per carry) and lost a fumble. Cincinnati will likely continue leaning on the hot hand against the Cleveland Browns, which are allowing the 12th-most rushing yards per game (137.3) in the league. Brown has yet to rush for 100 yards in a game in his NFL career, but that will change Sunday.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-5) | QB Deshaun Watson benched |Watson has not played well, passing for 1,020 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in six games. However, on Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski reiterated Watson will remain the starter, noting he gives the Browns “the best chance to win.” If Watson struggles at home against the Bengals — which seems likely after Cleveland traded wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Bills — the team will be forced to finally admit Watson is the problem.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-2) | QBs Russell Wilson, Justin Fields play | The Steelers QB competition seems to be heating back up as head coach Mike Tomlin has revealed that Wilson is “in consideration” to start against the Jets at home on “Sunday Night Football.” However, Tomlin acknowledged Wilson doesn’t have the same ability to escape the rush as Justin Fields, which must be considered as Pittsburgh has dealt with several injuries to its offensive line. That’s why Tomlin said there’s “certainly” a scenario that both QBs play this week. — Aaron Becker

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS (5-1) | QB C.J. Stroud will thrive against lackluster pass defense | Stroud is off to a solid start, ranking sixth in passing yards (1,577) and fifth in touchdown passes (10). He has found success taking on four defenses that rank among the bottom 10 in defending the pass. That trend will continue Sunday on the road against the Packers (4-2), who’ve allowed the sixth-most passing yards (1,372) this season.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-3) | WR Josh Downs will record nine or more targets and 80-plus yards | After missing the first two games of 2024, Downs has become more involved in the passing game. Over the past three weeks, he’s averaging 10 targets, seven receptions and 72 yards per game (and scored two TDs). With Michael Pittman Jr. (back) still not 100%, the 2023 third-rounder should see plenty of opportunities Sunday at home against the Miami Dolphins (2-3). 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-5) | Pass defense has another rough outing | The Jaguars rank 32nd in the NFL against the pass and there isn’t a lot of hope for a rebound, especially with safety Andre Cisco admitting after Week 6’s loss to the Chicago Bears that he saw “a lot of quit” from the team. Look for more of the same Sunday in London against the New England Patriots (1-5) and rookie QB Drake Maye, who is set up nicely for a career day versus a defense that’s allowed three quarterbacks to surpass 300 yards passing in a game in six weeks.

TENNESSEE TITANS (1-4) | QB Will Levis continues to regress | The second-year QB posted arguably his worst outing as a pro in Week 6 against the Colts, throwing for only 95 yards (16-of-27) and things aren’t going to get better on the road Sunday against the Buffalo Bills (4-2). The Bills are tied for seventh in the NFL with 16 sacks and Levis has endured 15 sacks in just five games. He’ll probably have to throw more than the Titans would like to keep up with Josh Allen and Co.  — Mike Santa Barbara