Cincinnati Bengals Vs Atlanta Falcons Preview

The Cincinnati Bengals started out the preseason with a solid performance against the New York Jets, which led to a 17-6 victory. Now, six days later, the Bengals face a bigger test when they go on the road to take on the Atlanta Falcons.




Injuries on Offense:

 The team came away injured from their first game and will be without key players including running backs Benjarvus Green-Ellis and Bernard Scott.  This opens up the door for players like Cedric Peerman and Aaron Brown to get some carries and show the coaching staff what they can do. The offense will also be without Guard Travelle Wharton who is out for the rest of the season. Second-year player Clint Boling will get a chance to start. After a summer of strength and balance training Boling has an opportunity to prove he belongs in the NFL. Coaches say he has made strides and with the departure of Bobbie Williams, Boling seems to be the best option at Left Guard following the Wharton injury.

Can Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver Jordan Shipley
 show the Bengals staff he is the same player
he was prior to tearing his ACL?

Injuries on Defense:

The Bengals are entering Game 2 of the preseason without four of their cornerbacks. Dre Kirkpatrick, Jason Allen, Brandon Ghee and Shaun Prater are all out for tonight's game against Atlanta. Adam Jones has also been battling a calf injury and the team has not said whether he will play or not. The team is also without starting middle linebacker Rey Maualuga who was injured last week against the Jets. Defensive End Carlos Dunlap sprained his right knee during the Jets game and is out for the preseason and doubtful for the regular season opener against Baltimore. Robert Geathers is also out for the preseason which will give newcomer Jamaal Anderson a chance to make an impact. 

Questions I want answers to:

1. How will the wounded secondary handle the wide receiver tandem of Roddy White and Julio Jones?

2. Can Clint Boling show that he has improved and is a starting guard in the NFL?

3. Will MLB Vontaze Burfict continue to play well and cement a spot on the team?

4. Can Jordan Shipley show the explosiveness he had before he tore his ACL last season?

5. What will Brandon Tate and Armon Binns do to prove they deserve the 2nd wide receiver slot?

At the end of the day this is simply preseason game number two. The Bengals have injuries all over the field and the goal is to be as healthy as possible for opening night against the Baltimore Ravens. However, tonight's game will go a long way in answering some of the questions fans have about the Bengals. The game starts at 8:00pm on Fox. 




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