70401

Fjfalrt125

2. THEY'VE GOT DALTON'S BACK: There's a two-man race to enter the season as the top backup for Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton. Josh Johnson and John Skelton each made strong opening bids against the Falcons. Johnson, who spent his first three seasons with Tampa Bay before appearing in one game with Cleveland in 2012, had the longer audition and impressed coach Marvin Lewis with his running and passing. Johnson led the Bengals with 64 yards rushing, including a 43-yarder. He passed for 100 yards and a touchdown and was especially effective in the second quarter, when he led the Bengals to 17 points. Dalton, who played two series, didn't produce any points.
3. BIG QUESTIONS ON FALCONS' O-LINE: The offensive line was a major concern for Atlanta even before projected starting right tackle Mike Johnson dislocated his left ankle and broke his left leg in practice Tuesday. Johnson will have surgery next week and likely is lost for the season. Second-year player Lamar Holmes, who played in only one game in 2012, moved up as the starter. Coach Mike Smith says Holmes' strength is pass-blocking, but someone on the line must provide better run-blocking if Steven Jackson is to make his expected impact at running back. The most telling play of the game for the line came on third-and-2 at the Bengals' 16 in the first quarter. Cincinnati defensive tackle Geno Atkins blew past Falcons right guard Garrett Reynolds and stopped Jackson, forcing the Falcons to settle for a field goal.