[Stardust]

Falcons scouting report

When The Bengals Run

In his past six games against NFC opponents, Cedric Benson is averaging 126.8 yards per game (761 total), including four 100-yard games. Against Tampa Bay two weeks ago, Benson had a season-high 144 yards. Falcons middle linebacker Curtis Lofton is one of the team's best run stoppers. He recorded a season high 17 tackles in last week's loss at Philadelphia and leads the team with 62.

When The Bengals Pass

In his only career start against Atlanta in 2006, Carson Palmer was 24 of 36 for 266 yards with two touchdowns. In road games against the NFC, he has 21 touchdowns against 12 interceptions and a 88.8 rating. Wideout Terrell Owens needs one more TD to become the fifth player in league history with 150 or more. He has 11 against the Falcons, which is his second most against any team. Atlanta defensive end John Abraham has 12.5 sacks in his past 10 against the AFC. His 93.5 sacks since 2000 are second-most in the league. Cornerback Dunta Robinson, who was the Falcons' big acquisition in free agency, is questionable after suffering a concussion last week.

When The Falcons Run

Since joining the Falcons in 2008, Michael Turner is averaging 103.7 yards per game with 18 touchdowns at home. His 28 touchdowns are the second most in the NFC since 2008. When he has 22 carries or more over his career, his teams (Atlanta and San Diego) are 14-1. Linebacker Dhani Jones leads the Bengals in tackles with 52. Rey Maualuga is a consistent run stopper.

When The Falcons Pass

Matt Ryan has won 15 of his last 16 starts at home, including 11 straight. He has a TD pass in five straight games this season and has four games of two or more. Wideout Roddy White, who leads the league in receptions with 43, has 26 catches for 351 yards and three TDs in his last three against the AFC. Tight end Tony Gonzalez had two touchdowns last week. In five games against Cincinnati, he has 36 catches for 381 yards and five touchdowns. Bengals safety Chris Crocker had his first two-sack game two weeks ago and cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall have combined for four interceptions over the last four games.

Special Teams

Bengals kicker Mike Nugent is 12-of-13 on field goals. He has reached the end zone on 10 of his 26 kickoffs with six touchbacks. The Bengals had eight touchbacks from Shayne Graham all of last season. Punt returner Adam Jones, an Atlanta native, had a 27-yard punt return two weeks ago against Tampa Bay. Falcons kicker Matt Bryant already has two game-winning field goals this season.