Bengals’ opener Zach Brown Jersey , turning over the ball five times and finishing with the second-lowest passer rating of his career. He’ll have one thing in his favor Thursday night: He tends not to let bad days linger. The crowd at Paul Brown Stadium will get on Dalton if he comes out subpar when the Bengals host the Texans, with both teams coming off lopsided opening losses. Dalton, who grew up in the Houston suburb of Katy, has struggled throughout his career against the Texans’ in-your-face defense. ”We had a down game, I had a down game,” Dalton said . ”I’ve just got to go back and play like I know I can play.” History is on his side. He matched his career high with four interceptions and lost a fumble during a 20-0 loss to the Ravens on Sunday, the first time Cincinnati was shut out in a home opener. The crowd of 55,254 – 10,000 below stadium capacity – jeered him off the field. Dalton’s passer rating of 28.4 was the second lowest of his career. His only worse game was against the Browns in 2014, when he threw three interceptions at Paul Brown Stadium and had a rating of 2.0 during a 24-3 loss. Dalton followed it with a big game in a 27-10 win at New Orleans, throwing for three touchdowns and a rating of 143.9 that is the second best of his career. ”He’s very competitive and very particular about things,” coach Marvin Lewis said. Dalton is 1-5 career against his hometown team, including a pair of first-round playoff losses. He’s thrown three touchdowns and seven interceptions against the defense that’s been in his face and in his head. The Bengals expect his counterpart to be a rookie making his first NFL start Devin Bush Jersey , although the Texans hadn’t said anything definitively. Deshaun Watson took over at halftime of a 29-7 loss to the Jaguars and was 12 of 23 for 102 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a fumble. The first-round pick is the ninth quarterback to play for the Texans in the past five seasons. ”He’s a playmaker with good instincts, and he’s young,” Houston quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan said. ”He’s going to make some mistakes, and it’s on us to keep working with him and minimize his mistakes and get rid of them, not repeat them.” Some things to watch on Thursday night: OFFENSIVE LINES: The Texans gave up 10 sacks in their opener, while Dalton was sacked five times and under constant pressure – two of his interceptions were tipped. Dalton was among the NFL’s most-sacked quarterbacks last season, dropped 41 times. Neither team ran the ball much in the openers – the Texans had 93 yards, the Bengals 77 – leaving the quarterbacks in tough situations. BAITING THE ROOKIE: The Bengals are preparing for Watson and figure they’ll have a big advantage with a rookie making his first start on the road in a night game. ”You’ve got to give him different looks, not just drop into coverage,” cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick said. ”You disguise because that’s intimidating when you’ve got guys out there moving around, talking. That’s intimidating for a young quarterback because he’s got to be sitting back like, `Man Diontae Johnson Jersey , those guys know what’s going on.”’ J.J.’S SECOND CHANCE: J.J. Watt’s return in the opener was underwhelming. He missed most of last season with a back injury. He was hoping to make a splash against the Jaguars, but managed only one tackle and one hit on the quarterback. Watt also was treated for a dislocated finger on his left hand. ”I think the emotion of it and just settling down is something that’s probably the biggest thing,” Watt said. ”Just settling down, trusting what I do and not trying to do too many things at once.” PACMAN & STRONG BACK, MANY OTHERS OUT: Bengals CB Adam “Pacman” Jones returns from his one-game suspension for an offseason misdemeanor conviction. LB Vontaze Burfict serves the second of his three-game NFL suspension for his latest egregious hit. The Texans get backWR Jaelen Strong from his one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, but they’ve got far worse injury problems than the Bengals. TE C.J. Fiedorowicz went on injured reserve with a concussion, and two other tight ends, Stephen Anderson and Ryan Griffin, are out with concussions, along with LB Brian Cushing and WR Bruce Ellington. BAD NUMBERS: The Texans last opened a season 0-2 in 2015. The Bengals haven’t gone 0-2 since 2008. They’ve been shut out in back-to-back games only once in their 50-year history, during the 2000 season. Coach Bruce Coslet resigned after that second shutout. Two members of the 2000 team, Rich Braham and Takeo Spikes, are among former Bengals stars to be honored at halftime Thursday. — AP Sports Writer Kristie Rieken in Houston contributed to this report. — r Bowl benching point to exit for him and opening at cornerback. New England likes Burkhead and got big production in 2017 from Lewis. Both are just 27 years old Justin Layne Jersey , but Patriots likely won’t stand pat after disappointing season by 2017 free agency pickup Mike Gillislee. Linebacking core needs some help with Harrison unlikely to be re-signed at age 39 and starter Dont’a Hightower coming off shoulder surgery. Getting another player to pair with Trey Flowers at defensive end will be another priority.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $14.7 million.
NEW YORK JETS (5-11)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: QB Josh McCown; CB Morris Claiborne; C Wesley Johnson, TEs Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Chris Gragg; LBs Demario Davis, Bruce Carter, Julian Stanford, and David Bass; S Terrence Brooks; PK Chandler Catanzaro; DLs Kony Ealy and Ed Stinson; DT Mike Pennel; OLs Jonotthan Harrison, Ben Ijalana and Dakota Dozier.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Quincy Enunwa; S Rontez Miles; OL Brent Qvale; TE Neal Sterling; DL Xavier Cooper.
NEEDS: It’s all about finding quarterback, running theme for this franchise for, well, decades. New York will be in Kirk Cousins sweepstakes and has money it would take to land him. But will the former Washington QB want team that has failed to make playoffs for seven straight seasons and underwent massive rebuild last year? Jets have new offensive coordinator in former QBs coach Jeremy Bates, who runs Mike and Kyle Shanahan-style system Cousins learned during his first two seasons in league. If Jets whiff on Cousins, there’s good chance McCown will be back to mentor whomever New York takes with its first draft pick at No. 6 overall. Plenty of holes elsewhere, although Jets are interested in re-signing Claiborne, Seferian-Jenkins and Davis as core players. Help on offensive line Benny Snell Jr. Jersey , namely at center, proven pass rusher and cornerback will also be high priorities for GM Mike Maccagnan. Running back Matt Forte is retired, so Jets might look for some depth in backfield, as well as on defensive line after releasing disappointing Muhammad Wilkerson.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $90 million.
OAKLAND RAIDERS (6-10)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: Ss Reggie Nelson and Keith McGill; LB NaVorro Bowman; CB TJ Carrie; K Sebastian Janikowski; DT Justin Ellis; DL Denico Autry; TE Lee Smith; QB E.J. Manuel; LS Jon Condo.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
NEEDS: Coach Jon Gruden takes over team coming off disappointing season with many holes. There could be even more voids if Raiders choose to release several high-priced veterans to create even more cap room. Biggest holes right now are on defense; Raiders must upgrade at linebacker and in secondary, as well as find pass rush help for Khalil Mack. Oakland also would like to add at least one more receiver, along with possible upgrade at tackle. Another question is at running back; keep Marshawn Lynch and his $6 million salary or find starter in free agency or draft?
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $16 million.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (13-4)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB Arthur Moats; G Chris Hubbard; WR Justin Hunter; LB Sean Spence; RBs Stevan Ridley and RB Fitz Toussaint; DT Daniel McCullers; S Daimion Stafford.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: K Chris Boswell; LB Anthony Chickillo; WR Eli Rogers.
NEEDS: Two-time defending AFC North champions need help at inside linebacker with Ryan Shazier already ruled out for 2018 with spinal injury. Pittsburgh’s defense sagged late in season without Shazier and was shredded by Jacksonville in stunning home playoff loss. Depth at running back is also concern with Le’Veon Bell’s long-term status uncertain after team placed franchise tag on him for second straight spring. Steelers as usual are right up against cap; contract restructuring and cutting some veterans would give them wiggle room if needed. They could even sign marquee player if they opted to pull back franchise tag on Bell, which would free up $14.5 million in cap space off top.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $1 million.
TENNESSEE TITANS (10-8)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LBs Avery Williamson and Erik Walden; WRs Eric Decker and Harry Douglas; DE DaQuan Jones; CB Brice McCain; G Josh Kline; C Brian Schwenke; QB Brandon Weeden.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: G Quinton Spain; DE David King; CB Curtis Riley.
NEEDS: Now that QB Matt Cassel is being released, upgrading Marcus Mariota’s backup is crucial after Titans lost one game Cassel started last season. Both starting guards also are hitting market, though any offer to Spain can be matched, with Titans possibly looking at options after run game slumped from first in AFC to 15th. Wide receiver is must with Decker hitting market after ranking second with 54 catches. Money seems biggest obstacle for Titans keeping pair of defensive starters in Williamson and Jones, who was playing his best when he tore biceps.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $59 million.