The Falcons traveled to Cincinnati in week two of the regular season to face the Bengals in Paul Brown Stadium. Check out these pictures of the game.
QB Matt Ryan warms up before the game.
WR Julio Jones scores a touchdown late in the game.
C Joe Hawley
The Falcons line up before the game
WR Julio Jones stiff-arms Bengals' CB Adam Jones after a reception.
Atlanta Falcons fan at the game in Cincinnati.
QB Matt Ryan
QB Matt Ryan looks to pass down field.
QB Matt Ryan
WR Devin Hester returns a kick
RB Antone Smith goes up against Bengals CB Terence Newman
QB Matt Ryan
RB Steven Jackson
QB Matt Ryan
RB Jacquizz Rodgers
WR Eric Weems during pregame.
Head coach Mike Smith
WR Julio Jones
S Dwight Lowery defends against Bengals RB Jeremy Hill
DE Stansly Maponga
FB Patrick DiMarco warming up during pregame.
RB Steven Jackson runs through the Bengals' defense.
K Matt Bryant kicks a field goal
CB Desmond Trufant breaks up a pass to Bengals' WR Brandon Tate.
WR Harry Douglas attempts to shake off Bengals' CB Leon Hall and LB Vontaze Burfict.
G Justin Blalock on the line.
QB Matt Ryan signals on the line.
P Matt Bosher punts the ball.
Owner and Chairman Arthur Blank
The Bengals' offensive line goes up against the Falcons' defensive line.
LB Paul Worrilow goes in for a tackle on Bengals' RB Jeremy Hill.
WR Roddy White after a catch.
WR Roddy White gets tackled after a catch.
DE Malliciah Goodman fights past blockers.
LB Paul Worrilow and DE Kroy Biermann on the line.
C Joe Hawley
WR Roddy White is tackled by the Bengals' defense after making a catch.
QB Matt Ryan talks to WR Julio Jones and WR Harry Douglas on the sidelines.
LB Tyler Starr
QB Matt Ryan drops back for a pass.
Owner and Chairman Arthur Blank
DE Kroy Biermann, LB Prince Shembo, and P Matt Bosher making a special teams tackle.
QB Matt Ryan warms up his arm before the game.
S William Moore
1. Jones Returns to the End Zone: Trailing 24-3 in the fourth quarter, the Falcons got things moving with a 14-yard TD pass from Falcons QB Matt Ryan to WR Julio Jones. Ryan led the quick-scoring drive that lasted 10 plays, covered 77 yards in 3:59, ending with Jones' first score of the year, before falling to the Bengals, 24-10. Jones led all Falcons receivers Sunday, finishing with seven receptions for 88 yards and the score.
2. Big-Play Strikes Plague Falcons: The Falcons knew Cincinnati had big-play ability and the Bengals showed it Sunday, without Pro Bowl WR A.J. Green, who left the game early with a toe injury. Despite Green's absence, Bengals QB Andy Dalton connected on several deep throws, including three passes for 40-plus yards or more, one for a 76-yard TD pass to WR Mohamed Sanu, helping spur the eventual 24-10 win.
3. Third-Down Efficiency: The Falcons were 3 of 12 on third downs (25%) in the game, while the Bengals converted 6 of 14 third-down attempts (43%). The biggest factor with third-down conversions is earning more time (and opportunities) to score; in the Week 2 contest, the Falcons had possession of the ball for 26:43, while the Bengals maintained the ball for 32:35.
4. Penalties and Miscues: Falcons head coach Mike Smith said avoiding penalties and turnovers are obvious keys in any game; Sunday, the Falcons were flagged seven times for minus-56 yards. Cincinnati was called for six penalties, totaling minus-40 yards. Ryan was intercepted three times on Sunday, the third pick coming on the Falcons final drive of the game. On the day, Ryan finished 24 of 44 for 231 yards, with one TD, three INTs and two sacks.
5. Bryant's Accuracy Continues: Following the Falcons first-offensive drive of the game, the team got on the scoreboard, thanks to the feet of Ryan, who scrambled for a 12-yard gain, before Falcons RB Jacquizz Rodgers added a 9-yard rush, leading to a 46-yard FG by Falcons K Matt Bryant. The drive lasted nine plays, covered 40 yards in 4:11.
EXTRA REPS:
Falcons WR Roddy White caught five passes for 42 yards on Sunday, improving his franchise record streak of consecutive games with at least one catch to 114. He's pulled down at least five receptions in seven-straight games, dating back to last season. Ryan and White have combined for 530 completions, the most between any quarterback and receiver duo in the NFL since 2008.
Falcons LB Paul Worrilow led the team in tackles (14) on Sunday, followed by LB Joplo Bartu (9) and five other Falcons players, S Dwight Lowery, DE Kroy Biermann, DT Paul Soliai, S William Moore and LB Prince Shembo, who each recorded six tackles.
