Bengals:..Falcons scouting report

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When the Bengals run

In his past six games against NFC opponents, Cedric Benson is averaging 126.8 yards per game (761 total), including four 100-yard games. Against Tampa Bay two weeks ago, Benson had a season-high 144 yards. Falcons middle linebacker Curtis Lofton is one of the team's best run stoppers. He recorded a season high 17 tackles in last week's loss at Philadelphia and leads the team with 62.



When the Bengals pass

In his only career start against Atlanta in 2006, Carson Palmer was 24 of 36 for 266 yards with two touchdowns. In road games against the NFC, he has 21 touchdowns against 12 interceptions and a 88.8 rating. Wideout Terrell Owens needs one more TD to become the fifth player in league history with 150 or more. He has 11 against the Falcons, which is his second most against any team. Atlanta defensive end John Abraham has 12.5 sacks in his past 10 against the AFC. His 93.5 sacks since 2000 are second-most in the league. Cornerback Dunta Robinson, who was the Falcons' big acquisition in free agency, is questionable after suffering a concussion last week.



When the Falcons run

Since joining the Falcons in 2008, Michael Turner is averaging 103.7 yards per game with 18 touchdowns at home. His 28 touchdowns are the second most in the NFC since 2008. When he has 22 carries or more over his career, his teams (Atlanta and San Diego) are 14-1. Linebacker Dhani Jones leads the Bengals in tackles with 52. Rey Maualuga is a consistent run stopper.



When the Falcons pass

Matt Ryan has won 15 of his last 16 starts at home, including 11 straight. He has a TD pass in five straight games this season and has four games of two or more. Wideout Roddy White, who leads the league in receptions with 43, has 26 catches for 351 yards and three TDs in his last three against the AFC. Tight end Tony Gonzalez had two touchdowns last week. In five games against Cincinnati, he has 36 catches for 381 yards and five touchdowns. Bengals safety Chris Crocker had his first two-sack game two weeks ago and cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall have combined for four interceptions over the last four games.


Special teams

Bengals kicker Mike Nugent is 12-of-13 on field goals. He has reached the end zone on 10 of his 26 kickoffs with six touchbacks. The Bengals had eight touchbacks from Shayne Graham all of last season. Punt returner Adam Jones, an Atlanta native, had a 27-yard punt return two weeks ago against Tampa Bay. Falcons kicker Matt Bryant already has two game-winning field goals this season.

 

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Game Day: First down



One-two punch

Sunday's game matches the top two active pass catchers in the league. Bengals wide receiver Terrell Owens has 1,037 catches and Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez has 1,026. Owens (15,427) and Gonzalez (12,072) rank first and third in career receiving yards, and 2-3 among active players in career touchdown receptions (146 for Owens, 85 for Gonzalez).

300 with two zeros

The Bengals are 0-2 when Carson Palmer throws for 300 yards or more which is also a league-wide trend. Through six weeks, teams are 10-20 when their quarterback throws for 300. Last year it was 67-37.

The coaches

Bengals: Marvin Lewis (58-60-1 overall) is in his eighth season and is 0-1 against Atlanta. Lewis is 3-3 against the NFC South.

Falcons: Mike Smith (24-15 overall) is in his third season. He is 0-0 against Cincinnati and is 0-1 against the AFC North.

Series history

This is the 12th meeting with the Bengals leading 7-4. Atlanta though has won the last two including 29-27 in Week 8 at Paul Brown Stadium in 2006.

At Atlanta: Bengals lead 3-2 (3-1 at Atlanta/Fulton County Stadium and 0-1 at the Georgia Dome). The Bengals only regular season trip to the Georgia Dome was in 2002 when they dropped a 16-10 decision.

Injury report

Bengals - Out: S Roy Williams (knee); RB Brian Leonard (thigh); Questionable: CB Johnathan Joseph (ankle), DT Pat Sims (knee), DE Jonathan Fanene (hamstring).

Falcons - Out: TE Justin Peelle (groin), LB Sean Weatherspoon (knee); Questionable: CB Dunta Robinson (head, knee), RB Antone Smith (shoulder)




FIVE KEYS FOR THE BENGALS

1. No turnovers: Over the past two games, Carson Palmer has committed five turnovers (three interceptions, two fumbles) that have led to 23 points for the opposition. With two three-point losses, the Bengals need to take care of the ball, especially against an Atlanta defense that has forced 14 turnovers.

2. Strike early: The Bengals still haven't scored in their first two drives in a game this season and are 6-of-16 in the red zone. Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski likes how the Bengals are moving the ball, but they need to start converting yards into points.

3. Hit Ryan: Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan has a quick release, but some say he starts to struggle if you can get some hits on him. The Bengals have done better applying pressure over the last couple games and had three sacks against Tampa Bay. The return of defensive end Jonathan Fanene could help.

4. Keep at it: The Bengals have nine defensive penalties which have led to first downs. They have also been on the short end of contested catches. They must continue to be aggressive while at the same time be more disciplined.

5. Break a return: Adam Jones had a 27-yard punt return against Tampa Bay, but the Bengals need to get more consistent production there, as well as showing signs of life in the kick return game. just 18.4 yards on kick returns.



ONE ON ONE: THE KEY MATCHUP

Bengals LT Andrew Whitworth vs. Falcons DE John Abraham

What to watch: Whitworth has given up only one sack this season, in the opener at New England. He will have his hands full against Abraham, long one of the NFL's best pass rushers.

The skinny: Abraham had two of his four sacks two weeks ago against Cleveland, dominating All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas.

Quotable: "Heck of a challenge. He's a great player. This is kind of the life for a left tackle though with this upcoming stretch." - Whitworth on Abraham


REEDY'S READ

Rested, off the bye week and in a must-win situation, this could be the perfect time for the Bengals to pull off an upset on the road, especially with Atlanta missing two defensive starters.