Cincinnati @ Atlanta preview
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2014 ) Atlanta 10, Cincinnati 24
Stopping a star receiver will be the focus for both defenses when the Atlanta Falcons host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Atlanta’s Julio Jones and Cincinnati’s A.J. Green won’t go head-to-head, but they each will be the focal point when they’re on the field in a matchup of high-scoring offenses.
The Bengals were hurt by four turnovers that led to 17 points in a 31-21 loss at Carolina last week, but quarterback Andy Dalton and Green still have them sitting atop the AFC North standings. Cincinnati will try to keep pace with a Falcons team that is coming off a 43-37 overtime loss to New Orleans. After a sluggish season opener at Philadelphia, Atlanta has rolled up 439 and 534 total yards in its last two games. The Bengals won the most recent meeting, a 24-10 triumph at home in 2014.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Falcons -4. O/U: 52
ABOUT THE BENGALS (2-1): Cincinnati ranks sixth in the league in scoring offense, averaging 29.7 points behind a fairly balanced attack, but its offensive weapons are banged up. It looks as if Green will be back in the lineup after leaving last week’s game with a hip injury, but running back Joe Mixon still is recovering from a knee ailment. The defense has not fared well - especially against the run - and has had a tough time getting off the field, ranking last in the league in third-down efficiency by allowing opponents to convert at a 52.2 percent clip.
ABOUT THE FALCONS (1-2): Atlanta’s offense has been a bit one-dimensional with running back Devonta Freeman (knee) sidelined, but the passing game is dangerous. Matt Ryan threw for 374 yards and a career-high five touchdowns last week while rookie Calvin Ridley had 146 receiving yards and three touchdowns, joining Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu in a loaded receiving corps. The defense has been decimated by injuries and ranks 27th in the league, allowing 401.7 total yards per game.
EXTRA POINTS
1. The Falcons placed S Ricardo Allen (Achilles) on injured reserve Tuesday, their third defensive starter to land on the list.
2. The Bengals are 42-1-2 since 2011 when scoring at least 25 points.
3. Cincinnati has scored on its last 29 trips to the red zone dating to last season, the longest current streak in the NFL.
PREDICTION: Falcons 34, Bengals 31