The Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons are both coming off victories against divisional opponents in Week 1. This week they will face off in Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium.
Four Falcon runners combined to pick up 73 yards after contact last week (68% of their total) and the group forced six missed tackles. While Steven Jackson drew the bulk of the work (12 carries), Jacquizz Rodgers, Davonta Freeman, and Antone Smith each chipped in as well; Freeman (7.5 yards) and Rodgers (5.7 yards) posting the highest averages per carry in their limited opportunities. The Atlanta stable of runners naturally plays a support role to their passing game, but success on the ground can only help and they may miss having to face one of 2013's top-rated linebackers this week.
The Bengals held off the Ravens in Week 1 even though a leader of the defense was out with concussion-like symptoms for most of the second half. Linebacker Vontaze Burfict was having a very good game before being sidelined in the third quarter. In his 23 snaps, Burfict was able to notch four tackles, three stops, and a quarterback hit. His contributions on defense earned him a +4.2 overall, and also notable was his +3.1 in run defense. At last report, Burfict had not yet returned to practice this week.
Here are three other notable numbers for each side going into Week 2:
Cincinnati Bengals
Andy Dalton – Dalton completed six of his nine passes for 118 yards for one touchdown when the Ravens blitzed him. His rating was a +1.4 against the blitz in Week 1.
AJ Green – Four of the eight passes AJ Green caught on Sunday were over 20 yards downfield. A total of 100 of his 131 yards receiving came on passes at least 20 yards downfield.
Jermaine Gresham – Gresham ranked as the fifth-best tight end in the league in run blocking by posting a +1.9 grade in the category.
Atlanta Falcons
Joe Hawley – Hawley played all 75 offensive snaps at center for the Falcons and earned a +2.0 overall grade. A solid start to follow up after a rough finale to 2013 tarnished an otherwise fine season.
Matt Ryan – Matt Ryan had good day with his downfield accuracy, which is demonstrated by his league-leading 253 ‘Air Yards'; a number that does not include any yards earned after the catch.
Receiving Corps – The receiving group of Julio Jones, Roddy White, Harry Douglas, and Devin Hester finished the game without a single dropped pass and combined for 23 receptions on 27 targets.
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