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Bengals-Falcons Preview

Oct 20, 2010 - 6:53 PM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

The defending AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals aren't panicked yet. With the schedule about to get much tougher, however, another loss or two could have them feeling that way.

A daunting stretch for the Bengals begins Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome, where Matt Ryan hasn't lost since his rookie season.

Cincinnati (2-3) returns from its bye week following back-to-back three-point losses to Cleveland and Tampa Bay. The Bengals, who didn't suffer their third defeat last season until Week 11, trail 4-1 Pittsburgh and 4-2 Baltimore in the division and are in danger of falling further out of the race.

After this game, Cincinnati hosts Miami and Pittsburgh followed by a trip to Indianapolis. The combined record of its next four opponents is 15-7.

"The panic button is going to get hit," wide receiver Chad Ochocinco said. "You go into a hole at 2-4 and that's tough. Especially with the schedule we have, that's tough."

To avoid that, the Bengals spent much of the bye week working to fix their offense.

After relying heavily on Cedric Benson and the running game last season, the Bengals were expected to have a more vertical passing attack this year with the combination of Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco. That hasn't happened, however.

Carson Palmer has thrown seven touchdowns with six interceptions - one of which went off Ochocinco's hands in the closing minutes of a 24-21 loss to the Buccaneers just before the bye.

"Right now, we don't have an identity because we're not doing either one well or we're not doing either one well enough," Ochocinco said about the offense. "Expectations are super-high. Everyone is focusing in on Terrell and I being so explosive, but it's not that easy."

Cincinnati appears to have a chance to throw the ball effectively against a banged-up Atlanta secondary.

The Falcons (4-2) might be without cornerback Dunta Robinson after he suffered a concussion on a vicious hit delivered to DeSean Jackson on Sunday. Atlanta lost that game 31-17 to Philadelphia, snapping a four-game winning streak.

Robinson's hit was one of several violent helmet-to-helmet collisions last week that prompted the NFL to impose larger fines, and starting Sunday, implement suspensions for such conduct.

If Robinson, who was fined $50,000, is unable to play, the Falcons could start Christopher Owens at cornerback and move Brian Williams into the rotation at nickel back. Atlanta is already missing rookie linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, out with a sprained right knee.

The Falcons' defense struggled mightily last weekend, yielding a season-high 474 yards and allowing three touchdowns of more than 30 yards.

"Defensively, you can't let people throw the ball over your head, you give up three explosive touchdowns, you're going to have a tough day," Atlanta coach Mike Smith said.

Smith's offense wasn't any better, gaining a season-low 293 yards.

The Falcons are hoping to turn things around with their next three games in Atlanta, where they've won 11 straight with Ryan at quarterback. His only loss in 16 career games at the Georgia Dome was 24-20 to Denver on Nov. 16, 2008.

The Bengals have lost six of seven on the road dating to last season, the lone victory coming in Week 3 against winless Carolina.

Ryan, who has passed for 498 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions at home this year, may have plenty of time to throw. Cincinnati has six sacks, tied for second fewest in the league.

The defensive front also has a big hole to fill with end Antwan Odom beginning a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Odom doesn't have a sack this year, but led the team with eight last season.

His absence could open up running lanes for Michael Turner, who was held to 45 yards rushing last week after averaging 94.8 during Atlanta's winning streak.

This is the teams' first meeting since the Falcons' 29-27 victory in 2006.