Sunday NFL preview: Why these pass-catchers could star

ByESPN.COM STAFF
September 26, 2015, 11:13 PM

— -- NFL Nation reporters look ahead to what Sunday has in store for each team.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills: The Bills, who travel to Miami for their first road game of the season, had more injuries crop up in their week of practice. Special teams standout  Marcus Easley is listed as questionable with a back injury, though coach Rex Ryan said Friday that Easley "is fine ... he will be OK." Defensive end Jerry Hughes also showed up on the injury report with a wrist injury and was limited in Friday's practice, but he is probable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. -- Mike Rodak

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens: Justin Forsett led all NFL running backs with a 5.4-yard average last year, but he is only averaging 3.8 yards per carry through two games in 2015. Will that change Sunday against Cincinnati? In his past six games against AFC North teams, Forsett has averaged 91.2 yards from scrimmage. -- Jamison Hensley

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans: The Texans are going another week without Arian Foster, and by now, fantasy football players should have caught on to the plan for replacing him: It's a committee system, based on which particular skills work best on which plays. The Texans have focused on improving their running game, but even doing that likely won't create a fantasy juggernaut. -- Tania Ganguli

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos:  C.J. Anderson, who entered the week with ankle and toe injuries, practiced fully as the week drew to a close. Still, Ronnie Hillman will be an active participant in the run game. The Broncos are expected to try to assert themselves against the Lions 29th-ranked run defense, but they will also continue to give Hillman a healthy dose of carries as a 1-2 punch with Anderson. -- Jeff Legwold

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys:  Jason Witten is battling sprains to both ankles and his left knee, but he will play his 190th straight game and should be a security blanket for Brandon Weeden. In 15 games without Tony Romo, he has 87 catches, including four games with at least 10 catches, and seven touchdowns. -- Todd Archer

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears: With Jay Cutler and Alshon Jeffery ruled out, the question becomes how effective Eddie Royal can be with hip and back injuries. Royal only practiced on a limited basis Thursday and Friday. That is not good news for backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who is making his 12th career start. Tailback Matt Forte expects the Bears to try to establish the run versus the Seahawks defense. That could mean plenty of touches for Forte, rookie Jeremy Langford and Jacquizz Rodgers. Langford and Rodgers combined to play 24 snaps in the loss to Arizona. The Bears will try to avoid placing Clausen in predictable passing situations. -- Jeff Dickerson

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons: Although I still believe Roddy White will have a much better showing than he did last week, you can't take away from the flashes shown by Leonard Hankerson last week. He scored one touchdown and should have had another. Hankerson could be a primary scoring target again if the Cowboys focus their attention on Julio Jones on Sunday. -- Vaughn McClure

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals: Setting an NFL record with three touchdowns three different ways in the first two games brings a lot of pressure for a young players, but running back David Johnson seems unfazed by the attention or the fact that his jersey from last week's game is in the Hall of Fame. His role will continue to increase with Andre Ellington listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against San Francisco. -- Josh Weinfuss