The Cincinnati Bengals lead the Atlanta Falcons 24-10 at halftime in Atlanta, after scoring 17 unanswered points in the second quarter.
Atlanta struck first and led 10-7 after one quarter. Then Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense took over, scoring on three straight drives to close the half.
How the First Half Unfolded
The Falcons opened the scoring when Michael Penix Jr. found Charlie Woerner for a 1-yard touchdown. Cincinnati answered less than three minutes later, with Burrow hitting Ja'Marr Chase deep down the right side for a 47-yard score.
Atlanta regained the lead on a 31-yard Nick Folk field goal late in the first quarter. That was its last score of the half.
In the second quarter, Burrow ran in a 1-yard touchdown to put Cincinnati ahead 14-10. He then threw a 4-yard touchdown to Tee Higgins, and Evan McPherson closed the half with a 57-yard field goal with 29 seconds left.
First-Half Stats
Burrow has been nearly perfect, completing 18 of 22 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. His passer rating for the half is 142.2.
Atlanta has found success on the ground, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry. But Penix has been held to 77 passing yards on 11 of 18 attempts, and the Falcons have not scored since the first quarter.
What's at Stake
The Bengals came into the game 5-2, winning their last three, including a 35-13 win at Baltimore and a 43-36 win over Tennessee last week. A win in Atlanta would push their streak to four.
Cincinnati hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football next week, a rematch of a 30-27 loss in September.
This is a halftime report. Scores and stats will change as the game continues.