Cincinnati, Ohio (AP)--

Roddy White goes all out to make this reception.

Atlanta felt as if they were in uncharted territory when they played their first away game in a month against the Cincinnati Bengals in the hostile environment tagged as ‘The Jungle’. However unrattled by the change the Falcons came out victorious to get back on the winning track with a 35-30 win in a game which ended in a shootout.
The Falcons last road game came in week 3 on Monday Night in a victory against the New Orleans Saints. After hosting the Arizona Cardinals and then having a bye week, the Falcons played the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers at the Georgia Dome, a stretch which ran there record to a respectable 4-2 to start the 2006 NFL Season. However ending the home stand on a sour note in a 20-10 loss to the defending champion Steelers, the Falcons knew that this road game will help give the league an idea of if the Falcons are a contender or pretender: a debate which experts can’t seem to make a final decision on.
After making for the playoffs for the first time in the Marvin Lewis era, the Bengals have failed to build on their 05 success, and came into the game at .500 (3-3). Without RB Rudi Johnson and with QB Carson Palmer still looking as if his reconstructed knee was not 100%, the Falcons knew that a loss today would come with no excuses.
It was evident early that the Falcons would need to take time to adjust to the new surroundings, as on their first drive a backward pass by QB Michael Vick was dropped by WR Michael Jenkins on a screen play and fumbled. Brain Simmons would recover the football and return it 30 yards to give the Bengal an early 7-0 advantage. The miscue was a direct effect of what not having your home crowd behind you cheering you on is like, a feeling which the Falcons have had with them for over a month.
In Atlanta’s next drive following the turnover, it seemed as if it just wasn’t going to be their day, as RB Warrick Dunn made a catch and run into the endzone for the long score. Just when it looked like things were turning around for the Falcons a holding penalty by WR Roddy White negated the touchdown and kept Atlanta trailing. Vick and the Falcons would not be affected by the penalty, as a short consistent offense led by Vick and Dunn would set Atlanta up for a 2 yard run by Dunn who would get the touchdown which he was denied of just moments before, tying the contest at 7-7 at the closing stages of the opening quarter.

Alge Crumpler makes a tight sideline grab in the endzone for the touchdown.

The majority of the second quarter was played out to be an offensive struggle. Atlanta repeatedly shot themselves in the foot by committing stupid penalties that killed drives and kept them from putting points on the board. The Cincinnati linebackers limited the agile Dunn in the second quarter, killing Atlanta’s potent rushing attack. The Bengals linebacking core of Landon Johnson (7 tackles, 5 for a loss), Odell Thurman (7 tackles, 2 for a loss) and Brain Simmons (5 tackles, 2 for a loss) had a strong day in trying to keep the Bengals in the game. A strong second half by Dunn propelled him to another 100 yard rushing game as he racked up 115 yards on 27 carries.
The first half ended with a bang, as Vick led the Falcons on an impressive two minute drive which ended with a touchdown on a 8 yard hookup between Vick and TE Alge Crumpler to give the Falcons their first lead of the game at 14-7. But the scoring in the first half was not over as on the ensuing kickoff K/P Michael Koenen kicked the ball out of bounds, giving the Bengals a big opportunity to finish the first half on a positive note. After Palmer found receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Kelly Washington on sideline patterns, it set up Shayne Graham for a career tying best 53 yarder on the stroke of halftime putting the score at 14-10.
The second half was played out to be a back and forth shootout between the two teams where a total of 41 points were put on the board, with Atlanta responsible for 21 of those to the Bengals 20.
The shootout began with Koenen starting the second half the same he ended the first by kicking the ball out of bounds for the second time in the game. With the good field position, the Bengals were quick to attack, as RB Chris Perry picked up solid yardage to set up the passing game, which Palmer utilized to his best ability connected with his high caliber receiving core. Eventually, with the football one yard out Palmer hit TE Tony Stewart on a one yard pass for a touchdown to give the Bengals the lead back at 17-14. Just like in the first half, the Falcons had started the second half badly with no one to blame but themselves.
Atlanta was quick to bounce back, as Warrick Dunn look rejuvenated in the second half breaking tackles and picking up big yardage. The runs by Dunn set up Crumpler second touchdown catch of the day, this time from 6 yards out, allowing Atlanta to regain the lead. Crumpler touchdown catch was a great one, as he jumped over the smaller safety to make the catch and had the presence of mind to get both feet in play for the score. The high vibes for Atlanta would be short lived as following the touchdown Koenen kicked the football out of bounds for an unprecedented third straight time.
Koenen’s missed kick did not hurt the Falcons, as DeAngelo Hall would make a the game changing play during the Bengals possession. With the ball at midfield and the Bengals freely move the football, Palmer went back to pass looking for his number one option in WR Chad Johnson. As Palmer threw the pass Hall step in front of the charismatic Johnson, intercepting the pass for his third pick of the year. Hall would turn up field and outrun everyone to the endzone giving the Falcons much needed breathing room heading into the forth quarter at 28-17.

DeAngelo Hall turns up field after intercepting a Carson Palmer pass.

The Bengals spent the forth quarter playing catch up to Atlanta. Palmer would build on his good day by throwing for another touchdown pass. After rolling out to buy some more time Palmer threw a perfect pass over Houshmandzadeh who made the catch an trotted in for the 48 yard touchdown. To cut the deficit to a field goal, Cincinnati lined up for a two point try, but Perry fumbled to football to keep the Falcons lead at 5 points, 28-23.
While the Bengals tried to play catch up, The Falcons tried to play keep away, as they went to their brutal rushing attack, killing precious time of the clock, after repeatedly converting on third downs. Rookie RB Jerious Norwood then had a moment he would never forget as he rush for his first career touchdown on a impressive 19 yard burst where no Bengal came close to lying a hand on the rook. With the touchdown the game was all but over at 35-23, but Palmer was still trying his best to prevent his team from losing, as in his last desperation attempt to pull his team closer, he threw a 77 yard bomb to Washington for his third TD of the game. The score was too late for the Bengals who would be helpless trying to stop Atlanta’s running game, as the Falcons killed the clock for a 35-30 victory.
With the Atlanta win and a Carolina Panthers loss, the Falcons secure a 1.5 game lead of the first spot in the NFC South at a 5-2 record. Vick continued to make a case for early MVP consideration throwing for 2 TD’s on 187 yard passing (76% completion rate), while also rushing for 62 yards. WR Michael Jenkins, had his best game of the season to date recording 7 receptions for 59 yards, while Crumpler caught 5 for 58 yard and 2 scores. The Falcons will travel to Detroit next week to face the hungry Lions team who sit at 3-4 in a game which could possible turn the season around for both teams with a win or loss.

Game Boxscore.