3 Reasons the Atlanta Falcons will upset the Bengals in week 7

1. The Bengals rushing defense is soft

The Bengals’ defense had played well through the early part of the season before being tested on the ground by the Saints. New Orleans put together an impressive rushing attack with four players totaling 238-rushing yards and plenty of big plays from a Saints rushing attack that had been struggling.

Coming off back-to-back weeks of facing two great run defenses in San Francisco and Tampa Bay it isn’t out of the question that Mariota throws ten passes or less.  Arthur Smith’s rushing attack has perfectly controlled the clock and should have a chance to put up huge numbers against a Bengals defense that doesn’t appear to be the same unit they were last season.

Marcus Mariota, Avery Williams, Caleb Huntley, and Tyler Allgeier should all see increased touches against the Bengals and allow the Falcons to limit Burrow’s touches controlling the clock and consistently moving the ball on a team that is susceptible to the run.

Mariota doesn’t have to do much to outplay Andy Dalton who had a bad Saints team in a position to beat the Bengals before Burrow’s late clutch go-ahead score. If Marcus can be even a bit better than Dalton was this team will have a chance at pulling their second straight upset against a team that cannot stop the run game.