Cincinnati Bengals: Keys to victory vs. Falcons in Week 4
By Kenn Korb
Previewing the Week 4 contest between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons, looking at the players to watch, keys to the game and more.
It was just one game, but the contest against Carolina leaves the Cincinnati Bengals with plenty of questions as they enter Week 4. Though the game was within one score for all but about four minutes, Carolina felt like the dominant team throughout the contest.
Now the Bengals focus will stay on the NFC South as they take on another team from that division, the Atlanta Falcons, as they go on the road in Week 4.
Here are some keys to either team winning the matchup.
Can Cincinnati Cover All Those Offensive Weapons?
The Bengals defense got a rude awakening last week. After two games where they forced five turnovers and a +22 point differential, which would rank fifth this week, the Panthers steamrolled them on the ground on the way to a handily won Week 3 contest.
This week brings another tough challenge from the NFC South — one which will provide a whole new set of challenges. Atlanta may not have Cam Newton and that run game, but they will make it tough on Cincinnati in their own manner.
While Carolina had a powerful rushing attack as their strength, Atlanta has a ridiculous assortment of weaponry at their disposal to spread out and obliterate their opposition. They have one of the most dynamic receivers the league has ever seen in Julio Jones.
Opposite Jones is the exciting rookie Calvin Ridley, who just broke out for a huge game against New Orleans. Mohamed Sanu is an excellent third receiver who has been responsible for 166 first downs in his career coming into 2018. Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman pair up to make one of the better backfield attacks in the entire league.
With all these weapons, even the best defenses can be stretched to the limit. Cincinnati has plenty of talent on hand, but they have exploitable areas a talented group like Atlanta can target.
Freeman is unlikely to be back from injury, but even without him there are at least four definitive weapons — as well as a handful of other less-heralded pieces — on hand for Atlanta. The way Cincinnati decides to try containing (much less stopping) this group will be as important as anything for the Bengals’ hopes at an upset.