Bengals drive, stall

ATLANTA -- The Bengals got two big plays on their opening offensive possession and then bogged down in Falcons territory.

Starting from their 6-yard line after an illegal block penalty on linebacker Caleb Miller on the opening kickoff, the Bengals hit a 16-yard pass from Carson Palmer to Chad Johnson. And then tailback Rudi Johnson ran 33 yards off right tackle, thanks to blocks by Chad Johnson downfield and fullback Jeremi Johnson in the hole.

But Rudi Johnson lost four yards on a stretch play to the left. A five-yard completion to tight end Reggie Kelly set up a third and nine, but wide receiver TJ. Houshmandzadeh did not turn around on a hot read, and the ball fell incomplete.