The second game in tonight’s NFL preseason doubleheader is the Cincinnati Bengals vs. the Atlanta Falcons. Desmond Ridder, the second-year player and starting quarterback for the Falcons, is expected to play tonight after sitting out last week. How will he look, and will the Bengals’ quarterbacks play better in place of Joe Burrow after two terrible outings last week? We preview tonight’s matchup with the betting odds and give out a pick.
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Soppe: Practice like you play. The Falcons operated at the sixth-slowest pace in the NFL last season, and if their preseason opener was any sign of things to come (53 plays), more of the same is in store for 2023. (Or at least for the preseason, and right now, that’s all we care about.)
The starters are expected to see more time this week than last for both teams, but that doesn’t scare me as an under bettor. Heck, it should help.
The side of the ball the Bengals are more interested in seeing what they have is the defensive end, while you could argue the Falcons only have so many viable NFL starters in the first place.
If Atlanta continues to keep the pace in check and Cincinnati’s quarterbacks continue to underwhelm (4.8 yards per attempt with a pair of interceptions last week), I’m not sure it’s a lock that either team gets much past 20 points.
Pick: Under 38.5 points
Cincinnati Bengals Roster and Injury Report
Burrow remains sidelined with a calf injury, but head coach Zac Taylor said on The Pat McAfee Show that he feels good about the progress he’s making. Sportsbooks still aren’t entirely convinced, however, that Burrow will be ready for Week 1.
In place of Burrow, Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning split the QB snaps in their competition for the primary backup spot, and both struggled mightily. Both of them need to step up this week to give the Bengals confidence that they could keep the team afloat in the event Burrow aggravates his calf or suffers an entirely different injury.
According to PFN’s Bengals reporter, Jay Morrison, the Bengals’ defensive starters are expected to play a series or two tonight. Last preseason, Cincinnati’s starters sat out entirely, and CB Mike Hilton told reporters that he believed that was definitely a factor in their 0-2 start to the 2022 regular season.
The Bengals had another injury scare in practice this week when WR Tee Higgins collided with safety Nick Scott, falling awkwardly on his leg. Higgins returned to practice on Wednesday, a sigh of relief for Bengals fans.
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As mentioned earlier, Ridder will play this week after sitting out Week 1 of the NFL preseason. Head coach Arthur Smith said he wants to see Ridder “feel the pocket” in tonight’s game. Smith also confirmed to reporters that other starters, in addition to Ridder, will play against the Bengals.
No. 8 overall pick RB Bijan Robinson is expected to make his preseason debut as well. The rookie running back is listed as third on the depth chart as Smith continues to troll fantasy players after TE Kyle Pitts’ usage last season. Despite his current standing on the depth chart, Robinson is the betting favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Although it hasn’t been confirmed how many snaps, if at all, he’ll be playing tonight, star safety Jessie Bates III will be playing against his former team for the first time since signing a four-year, $64 million contract with Atlanta in free agency. Bates played five seasons in Cincinnati and was named to the second-team All-Pro in 2020.
The Falcons placed a few players on injured reserve this week: OL Matt Hennessy, WR Frank Darby, and LB Adetokunbo Ogundeji. RB Cordarrelle Patterson has been sidelined with a soft tissue injury and is not expected to return this preseason.
