Now the Atlanta Falcons offense is assaulting the Bengals defense. On their own 40-yard line with four yards to convert a third down, Matt Ryan perfectly timed Roddy White's hitch route, hitting the receiver with Leon Hall a stride away from making a play that converted the first down. Julio Jones ran an out and up on the following play, which confused Terence Newman just enough to force a five-yard pass interference.

With 15 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Roddy White ran a deep crossing pattern with Leon Hall trailing. Ryan connected with his receiver in stride for a 24-yard reception. Tony Gonzalez found a gap between Newman and Reggie Nelson on a quick out near the right hashmark during the first play of the second quarter, picking up 21 yards to Cincinnati's five-yard line.

Finally the Bengals defense stiffened, forcing Ryan to threw an incomplete on two of his three red zone passes forcing the Falcons to convert a 20-yard field goal to tie the game at three. Atlanta covered 64 yards on nine plays in 3:19.