Atlanta Falcons win 39-32 against Cincinnati Bengals
Roddy White was outstanding this Sunday. His 2 touchdowns and 201 yards receiving put the Falcons ahead of the Bengals. Cincinnati’s plethora of receivers was outshined by White alone. Bengals threw over a 100 yards worth of passes more than Atlanta. Their
quarterback, Carson Palmer completed 36 of 50 passes for 412 yards and three touchdowns without giving up an interception. Atlanta’s Matt Ryan scored his three touchdowns in 24 successful attempts (of a total 33) but was intercepted once too.
The defining factor that gave Falcons an edge over Bengals was the rush. Atlanta’s running backs accumulated 153 yards against just 84 from Cincinnati’s side. Atlanta also scored two touchdowns from the rush.
Falcons opened the scoring in the first drive of the game and Roddy White was an integral part of it. Off a short middle pass, White ran 46 yards before being pushed out of bounds and followed it up with another 18 yards' reception. Ryan threw the 3 yard
touchdown pass to Brian Finneran but for all intents and purposes, the touchdown belonged to Roddy White.
For the quarter's remainder, neither offence could cover much ground. In the final four minutes, Cincinnati got its opportunity to equalize the score after Atlanta’s 52 yard punt was returned 5 yards to put Bengals on the 40 yard line. Yards came slowly
but defensive pass interference put Cincinnati 4 yards from the end zone. The defence somehow still managed to hold them off and Bengals had to settle for a field goal instead.
The first quarter lead was raised significantly in the second quarter by the Falcons. Bengals were not allowed to score at all while Atlanta got two touchdowns and a field goal in the quarter. Continuing a drive from the second quarter, Atlanta first scored
the field goal when their drive reached an end on the 27 yard line. Matt Bryant attempted the 45 yard field goal and it was good.
Bengal’s offense struggled and when they regained possession, they had to punt the ball without a single yard gained. One play that was reversed on pass completion grounds led to a fumble and a Falcons' touchdown.
Atlanta had no problems with offence. After that drive, the Falcons scored their first touchdown of the quarter. Matt Ryan passed deep left and Roddy White caught the 43 yard pass for touchdown while two Bengals tried to chase him down. Atlanta Falcons now
led with 17 against Cincinnati Bengal’s 3 points.
The next touchdown for Atlanta came courtesy of the running backs. Michael Turner and Gartrell Johnson rushed 62 yards for Atlanta in four plays. The Touchdown was scored by Turner with a 2 yard rush with one minute remaining in the second quarter.
As much as the second quarter belonged to Falcons, the third belonged to the Bengals. Carson Palmer finally started to find his receivers. In six attempts, Palmer completed 5 passes and gained 54 yards to get the Bengals within 15 yards of the end zone but
touchdown couldn’t be scored. Cincinnati attempted the field goal and it was good.
The defence was stronger too. Atlanta’s subsequent drive was foiled on the 42 yard line. As possession returned to Cincinnati, Palmer completed six consecutive passes for 93 yards, finishing it off with a 19 yard touchdown pass to Terrell Owens.
Bengal’s defence provided another opportunity to Palmer in the next drive. Matt Ryan’s deep left pass intended for Michael Jenkins was intercepted on the Cincinnati’s 38 yard line. Palmer threw a 64 yard touchdown pass to Jordan Shipley, Cincinnati’s leading
receiver. Shipley caught the ball on the 40 yard line and ran down the 40 remaining yards for touchdown.
Atlanta lost possession in their next offensive play. Matt Ryan completed a pass to Roddy White but when the receiver was tackled, he fumbled the ball. Defensive back, Adam Jones recovered the ball for the Bengals. Jones ran 59 yards for touchdown. Bengals
had finally put themselves in the lead by just one point.
The game would be decided in Atlanta’s favour in the final quarter. Falcons opened the fourth quarter with a touchdown. White received the 11 yard touchdown pass from Matt to get back the lead for hardly 5 minutes after they had lost it.
Cincinnati helped the Falcons score again in the final quarter. The Bengals lost possession in a fumble on Atlanta’s 40 yard line which was carried 12 yards. Atlanta covered the remaining 48 yards in 10 plays. It wasn’t spectacular but the drive was cautious
and steady. Michael Turner rushed the final 3 yards for touchdown and put the Atlanta Falcons on 39 against Bengal’s 25 points.
Just four minutes remained and Bengals made the most out of them. They drove from their 14 yard line to Atlanta’s 8 yard line in almost 3 minutes. From the 8 yard line, Palmer threw his third touchdown pass to Chad Ochocinco. The effort proved to be in vain
though as time ran out on the Bengals. They did take back possession but with 28 seconds left.
In the end, Atlanta Falcons won 39 against 32 despite a strong comeback and dogged efforts by Cincinnati Bengals.
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