Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Bengals to test Falcons’ run defense

By
Sept 12, 2014

Falcons coach Mike Smith is calling for his defense to step up against the Bengals rushing attack on Sunday.

“We had two explosive passes in the game last week, but we had way too many explosive runs,” Smith said.

The Falcons count gains of 12 yards or more as explosive runs and the gave up five against the Saints.

The Bengals running backs, Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill, combined to rush 18 times for 67 yards in their 23-17 season-opening win over Baltimore.

“This is a team that can run the ball very effectively,” Smith said.

The Falcons gave up 139 yards rushing against the Saints.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

An Atlanta Falcons fan wears a paper bag on their head during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Mike Stewart/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons report card: Bad marks for getting blown out

Only a few position groups escaped earning failing grades in the Falcons report card after a 37-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Falcons’ porous kickoff coverage unit flipped the momentum in the game  

The Falcons special teams have struggled all year and allowed a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half in a 37-9 loss to the Seahawks.

4 quick takeaways from Falcons’ loss to Seahawks

The Falcons' offense and special teams struggled yet again in a 37-9 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday, dropping the Falcons to 3-9 and ensuring they finish with a losing record.

The Latest

An Atlanta Falcons fan wears a paper bag on their head during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Mike Stewart/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons report card: Bad marks for getting blown out

Falcons’ porous kickoff coverage unit flipped the momentum in the game  

Falcons’ Arthur Blank has become bad franchise owner

Featured

Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

Credit: AP

A tiny nation qualified for its first World Cup. Cape Verde has fans here

Cape Verde, competing in its first World Cup, will take on the world's No. 1 team in Spain at 12 p.m. on June 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Georgia’s special ed program promised help. Families say it delivered them harm.

Georgia subdues a nemesis in rolling past Crimson Tide for SEC championship

Georgia notched its best win of the season at the perfect time, finally vanquishing Alabama in Atlanta and taking home the SEC Championship for the second straight year.