The Bengals defense did its job on the ground, but they had trouble in defending the pass. 

By BRYANT K. KIZER
Contributing Reporter

For the second straight week, the Cincinnati Bengals has did a good job by getting players reps, by getting players off the field with no injuries and winning the game. 

The Bengals went to the Georgia Dome to beat the Atlanta Falcons 24-19 last Thursday in preseason football.

For all-pro quarterback Andy Dalton the offense had a decent flow. In week two, teams let their first string hang in a little bit longer.  Dalton completed eight passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. He finally connected with all-pro second-year wide receiver A.J. Green for a 50-yard touchdown pass. 

“I was pleased tonight with our performance. Other than the fumble early in the game by Brian (Leonard), I felt like we had good tempo to start. We did some good things offensively a well. I thought defensively we kind of hurt ourselves with some penalties that we were called tonight, so we have to live with that. We have to keep improving. There are some young players getting a lot of playing time, and that’s a good thing,” said head coach Marvin Lewis.

With the first cuts coming on August 28, a lot of players did get a chance to make an impression on the Bengals’ coaches.

On the ground, almost every running back on the roster had at least one carry. The Bengals for the second consecutive week did not play Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis, their free-agent pick-up from New England.  

Brian Leonard, in his sixth season, led with six carries for 13 yards.

The Bengals ran the ball 30 times for 94 yards. Bruce Gradkowski, played his college ball at Toledo, had a 31-yard scramble and led the team in rushing. Gradkowski threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to rookie and sixth round 2012 draft pick Mohamed Sanu. Lewis hopes that Sanu will be another option for Dalton.

The Bengals defense did its job on the ground, but they had trouble in defending the pass. Falcons gained over 400 yards. Falcons went to the air 57 times while connecting on 41.

The Bengals (2-0) will host Green Bay (0-2), this Thursday at Paul Brown Stadium. This will be a dress rehearsal. Both teams’ first teamers will at least play to entire first-half.  The Bengals will open the regular season at Baltimore on September 10.