The Falcons and their Ohio opponent from Cincinnati this week have only registered 12 lifetime meetings in this series. The Bengals hold a slim 7-5 series advantage and the Falcons will be making their eighth trip to the Queen City and first since 2006.
Atlanta rolled into Paul Brown Stadium for that October 29, 2006 encounter with a 4-2 record and a high level of confidence after beating another AFC North Division opponent in Pittsburgh the week before at home 41-38.
The Falcons took the opening kickoff and put up a quick 3-0 lead on a Morten Andersen 42-yard field goal. The Bengals answered on their first possession as they drove 74 yards on 10 plays to take the lead on a one-yard scoring rush by RB Rudi Johnson.
Atlanta cut the lead to 7-6 later in the quarter with another Andersen 40-yard field goal.
Bengals QB Carson Palmer started heating up in the second quarter and tossed a 12-yard touchdown to WR Chad Johnson to extend their advantage to 14-6.
After a thrilling overtime victory against the New Orleans Saints in the season-opener, here are some storylines to watch heading into the Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Falcons' corners, including CB Desmond Trufant, showed their ability to cover receivers and break up passes, both of which factored in to the Falcons' victory over the Saints.
Was Sunday the best home-opener the Falcons have had? A victory over a division rival in overtime definitely puts it high on the list.
OL Gabe Carimi stepped up after the injury to teammate T Jake Matthews. Thanks to the offensive line, QB Matt Ryan was sacked only once in Sunday's game.
With division games to begin the season, the Atlanta Falcons are already tied at the top of the division with the Carolina Panthers. The Falcons could thate the lead of the division by Week 3 if they defeat the Bengals and the Panthers fall to the Lions.
Bengals WR A.J. Green had six receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown during the Bengals' win against the Baltimore Ravens. The Falcons' defense showed its ability to cover the Saints' receivers during Sunday's game and will have another challenge in covering Green.
The Falcons offensive line held strong against the Saints allowing only one sack, but will face another challenge in Bengals DT Geno Atkins during this week's game.
T Jake Matthews suffered an injury during the first half against the New Orleans Saints and did not return. According to head coach Mike Smith, his status will be updated on Wednesday with the release of the injury report.
K Matt Bryant is in the spotlight this week after kicking the game-winning 52-yard field goal against the Saints during overtime in the season-opener.
The Falcons have an arsenal full of weapons on offense including four running backs, four wide receivers and a tight end all fully capable of making plays. If Sunday's game showed fans anything, it was that QB Matt Ryan will not be lacking targets this season.
TE Levine Toilolo looked a lot like former TE Tony Gonzalez during the season-opener against the Saints. Toilolo made some key catches including a 1-yard touchdown that cut the Saints lead to three points.
The Birds mounted their first touchdown drive of the contest later in the quarter as RB Jerious Norwood took a swing pass and rambled 32-yards to the Bengals 11-yard line. After a false start penalty moved the ball back to the 16, on the next play TE Alge Crumpler hauled in a scoring strike to close the gap at halftime.
Atlanta took the lead on their first possession of the second half when WR Michael Jenkins caught a 26-yard touchdown to culminate an 8-play, 65-yard drive. The Falcons mounted a strong red zone defensive stand after Cincinnati moved inside their 20, forcing the Bengals to settle for a 26-yard Shayne Graham field goal to tie it up at 20 apiece.
A fullback Justin Griffin 8-yard touchdown catch and another Andersen field goal from 39-yards out increased the Falcons margin to 29-20 in the fourth quarter.
The Bengals though staged a late comeback connecting on a 55-yard scoring pass from Palmer to WR Chris Henry with 3:41 to play to make it a two-point game. But the Falcons burned the clock down which left Cincy with just an opportunity for a last-ditch desperation drive with just 30 seconds remaining. With 13 seconds left, DE Patrick Kerney sacked Palmer, forcing a fumble, which the Birds recovered to claim the 29-27 victory and win number five on the season.
