Bengals vs. Falcons: Can Atlanta avoid 1-3 amidst injury woes?

The Atlanta Falcons have had abysmal injury luck to start the 2018 season, but can they avoid a 1-3 start as they welcome the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4?

After a season that can only be described as mediocre last year, the Atlanta Falcons hoped that the 2018 campaign would be better to them. Instead, the season has started off more akin to a nightmare than anything else, particularly in regards to the injury front. They now sit at 1-2 after three weeks as they welcome a talented Cincinnati Bengals team to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 4.

Both sides of the ball for the Falcons have been affected by injuries to this point. Running back Devonta Freeman will be out again in the matchup against Cincinnati on Sunday. However, the defense has been hit even harder with Deion Jones out until at least Week 10, in addition to Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen being out for the season now.

The defense has really been the issue for Atlanta given all of the injuries. Last week, even without Freeman, Matt Ryan and the Dirty Birds offense were able to put up a terrific performance, including a breakout performance by rookie Calvin Ridley alongside Julio Jones. Yet, they couldn’t stop the Saints enough to secure a victory. That’s a concern coming into Week 4.

Though the Bengals delivered a letdown performance on the road against another NFC South opponent, the Panthers, last week, they still appear quite promising for this season. Andy Dalton has been playing well behind an improved offensive line, and he may have his best complement of weapons yet with A.J. Green being joined by breakout performer Tyler Boyd and the explosive John Ross.

As for the Bengals defense, they’ve had some issues stopping the run without Vontaze Burfict in the lineup due to suspension. Having said that, their secondary has performed well, though they will surely be tested against this group of Atlanta’s. Even still, this is a winnable game on the road as they look to stay in control of the AFC North by moving to 3-1.

TV and Live Stream Info

Date: Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018
Start Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Atlanta, GA
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
TV Info: CBS
Live Stream: FuboTV, NFL Sunday Ticket

Despite all of the injuries and with the Bengals having more success in the early part of the season, the Falcons still get the nod as the favorites on their home field. Having said that, it is in that “home-field advantage” range where it would appear that the oddsmakers deem these two teams to be quite even.

Betting Odds (via Odds Shark)

Point Spread: Atlanta -3.5
Moneyline: Atlanta -200, Cincinnati +170
Over/Under: 53.5

Prediction

By my estimation, the Bengals just simply aren’t getting enough respect in this matchup after a rough outing on the road against Carolina last week. This is still a team that can make a lot of plays at different levels on offense and that has a formidable defense. With the injuries that the Falcons are dealing with on defense, I don’t think they have enough to stop Cincinnati in a high-scoring affair.

Final Score: Cincinnati 31, Atlanta 27