NFL Cincinnati Bengals

Geno Atkins Will Be X-Factor for Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10

Fresh Videos

By @GregSulik

geno atkins bengals

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

When healthy, Geno Atkins is arguably the best defensive tackle in the NFL, a hyper-athletic force who is an elite pass rusher from the interior and a dominant run defender. Unfortunately, the Cincinnati Bengals star has been working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered almost exactly one year ago, and it has been a slow progression at times. However, Atkins is rounding into form at just the right time, and he is the x-factor for the Bengals in their Thursday Night Football matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

The surprising Browns have earned their way to 5-3 in much the way you’d think they would: solid defense, balanced offense, and mistake free football. The Browns rank 15th in the NFL in rush yards per game and 5th in rushing touchdowns while coming in at 14th in pass yards per game and allowing 6th fewest sacks of any team. Topping it all off, they have a +7 turnover differential that is good for 5th in the league.

This is where Atkins can make a major impact on the game. After recording 12.5 sacks in 2012 and 6.0 in just nine games last year, Atkins only has 1.5 through eight games this season. However, those have come in the last three games, as have Atkins’ first two tackles for a loss and his first forced fumble this year. Making things even better, Atkins has set new season highs for tackles in each of the last two games as well.

The Browns are without center Alex Mack for the remainder of the season, severely weakening the interior of their offensive line. Gerald McCoy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was able to get two sacks against the Browns last week, and look for Atkins to follow his blueprint. With his explosiveness returning, this could be the game that proves Atkins is back to the player he was before his injury.

The Bengals’ defense is a disastrous 30th in the NFL in rush yards allowed per game and 25th in sacks. Not having a healthy and impactful Atkins for most of the season has a lot to do with that, but he is starting to look like an elite player again. The Bengals need Atkins to help shut down the Browns’ solid running back trio while also getting pressure on Brian Hoyer.

This is a crucial game in the incredibly tight AFC North race, and the Bengals need the win. With Atkins starting to play like his old self, look for him to have a big game disrupting the interior of the Browns’ offensive line, and a strong performance could help lead the Bengals to a key win.

Follow Greg Sulik on Twitter @GregSulik or add him to your network on Google

Share Tweet
Trending Now on