Falcons Get Down Early, Can’t Recover

By: Justin Gray

The Atlanta Falcons have sort of defied the odds to this point in the season, what many believed was the best roster in football has been anything but that, with a 3-3 record.

This week they headed to Cincinnati to take on the defending AFC Champs. The Bengals have been a little underwhelming to this point with a 3-3 record as well. This game was going to be tough for the Falcons because they were facing a high powered offense. The game did not get off to a good start as the Falcons found themselves down 14-0 after the first quarter. The Falcons gave up yet another touchdown and were down 21-0, but they responded quickly with a long drive capped off on a Tyler Allgeier one-yard touchdown run.

The Bengals offense which was unstoppable all day took it down and scored again to make it 28-7. There was only 0:49 seconds left and Falcons QB Marcus Mariota hit Damiere Byrd for a 75 yard touchdown pass and cut it to 28-14 before half, but the Falcons weren’t done. They forced a quick punt and Avery Williams caught the punt and took it all the way to the Bengals 25 yard line to set up a field goal. Kicker Younghoe Koo knocked it through and made it 28-17.

After the half, the Falcons had a plethora of opportunities to comeback, but just couldn’t do it. Towards the end of the third quarter Burrow ran it in to extend the Bengals lead 35-17. This was the final score and the Falcons drop to 3-4 on the season, but hope is not lost because they are still tied in first for the division.

QB Marcus Mariota had a decent day throwing for 124 yards and a touchdown. The leader on defense was Rashaan Evans with seven total tackles. You don’t want to lose any games, but if there is one you can afford, it's this one. The Falcons look to get their first division win this week against the Carolina Panthers at home.