Bengals vs. Falcons: What You Need to Know
Here’s what you need to know to be there when the Bengals look to clip the Falcons wings. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Atlanta Falcons
Location: Paul Brown Stadium (Cincinnati, OH)
Date: Sunday, September 14, 2014
Game Time: 1:00pm ET
Weather: It’s looking to be about 62 degrees (55% humidity) for today’s game. There will be a E 4mph wind and a 0% chance of rain.
TV: Local CBS. Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Rich Gannon (analyst) will be doing the game announcing. Here’s a map of what NFL games will air in specific areas.
Radio: The game will be broadcasted on Cincinnati’s WCKY-AM (ESPN 1530) and WEBN-FM (102.7). Dan Hoard (play-by-play) and former Bengal offensive lineman Dave Lapham (analyst) will be the announcers. Bengals.com has also provided a list of other radio broadcasts in the local area.
Streaming and Listening Online: The game can be viewed through the NFL’s Game Rewind here. The NFL network also offers its Audio Pass for online listening.
This afternoon the Bengals face the Falcons in the team’s regular season home opener. After earning a big win in Baltimore, the first of Bengals since Andy Dalton took over the quarterback reigns, the team looks to start the year 2-0. It won’t be easy against a Falcons team that scored 37 points against the Saints last week, earning themselves a big divisional win. Matt Ryan set a franchise record by throwing for 448 yards in a single game along with three TDs; Ryan is clearly enjoying the health of his receivers. The Falcons did allow the Saints to score 34 points of their own, so they may have some weak points within their defense.
The Bengals are coming off their signature win in Baltimore, so Dalton and Co. have to be feeling good. The defense will need to be on its toes as the secondary will try to slow down the likes of Julio Jones, Roddy White, Harry Douglas, and Devin Hester. The key will be the defenses’ ability to get to Matt Ryan and make him uncomfortable in the pocket. Last week the Saints only registered one sack and three quarterbacks hits in a game where Ryan threw 43 times. The Bengals will need to do better.
As for the offense, they’ll need to run the game effectively, which will help keep the Falcons potent offense off the field. This should play to Hue Jackson’s liking. The Saints were able to run the ball for 139 yards against a Falcons defense that finished 31st in rushing defense last year. After the Bengals chose to not emphasize the run against Baltimore’s stout rush defense, it seems apparent the Bengals will alter the plans this week.
Jackson said he went up to Hill after the game to specifically tell him he will be playing more going forward. Only had 10 snaps.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) September 8, 2014
Seems that the Bengals will utilize the “ground and pound” style to give their defense ample rest while keeping Matt Ryan and Co. off the gridiron. For fantasy owners, maybe take a look at Hill if you haven’t already done so? Waiver wire add if he’s out there? If they Bengals can run the ball effectively and pressure Ryan consistently, they’ll be in good position to continue their regular season, home undefeated streak. If not, it could be a day that sees the Falcons soar through the air once more. For more game analysis, see Stripe Hype’s Bengals vs. Falcons Game Preview here.