The Cincinnati Bengals are riding a three-game win streak, scoring at least 31 points in each of those triumphs. They look like one of the league’s hottest teams right now. But there is one place they haven’t been able to win: international soil. This Sunday, they head to Madrid to face the Atlanta Falcons at the Bernabéu, a trip that could finally rewrite their international history.
Madrid Showdown: Hot Streaks vs. International Woes
This Week 9 matchup in Spain marks the second straight season the NFL has gone overseas, and it pits two divisional contenders against each other. For the Bengals, this game is massive. They are a franchise still searching for their very first win away from American soil, sitting at a grim 0-1-1 in their previous two opportunities, with their most recent international contest dating back to 2019. Can you believe it? A team this good has never clinched a win outside the U.S. The Falcons, on the other hand, are looking to improve to .500 in games abroad, currently holding a 2-3 international record. Atlanta even lost last season in Berlin.
While Cincinnati comes into Madrid red-hot, scoring no less than 31 points in any of their last three wins (even if two of those came against bottom-tier competition), Atlanta’s momentum has stumbled. The Falcons lost two of their last three outings and, yikes, went scoreless in their most recent showing. Talk about a tale of two teams heading into this international clash.
Divisional Dreams and Offensive Firepower
Both the Falcons and Bengals are very much alive and well in their respective divisions, but the context is wildly different. Atlanta is only a half game back of first place in the NFC South. Sounds good, right? Well, that might be the weakest division in football, with zero teams at or above .500 through the first two months of the season. The Bengals’ position is a bit more impressive, as they are half a game out of the AFC North lead, a division where three teams already own winning records. This game is huge for their standing.
On the field, get ready for some serious offensive firepower. Falcons stars Bijan Robinson and Drake London are looking for a massive bounce-back opportunity. Keeping one of the NFL’s top running back-wide receiver tandems in check is no small feat, and last week’s shutout might have had more to do with the weather than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ formidable defense. Robinson remains the league’s rushing leader with 780 yards on the year, and London stands sixth in receiving yards at 624. If the Cincinnati unit just allowed the Tennessee Titans to rack up 36 points, they are going to have their hands even more full with these two.
And let’s not forget about Tee Higgins. He’s always played second fiddle to Ja’Marr Chase in that otherworldly Bengals passing attack, but he is now on level ground with his superstar teammate. Both saw exactly 61 targets across their first seven games, and both grabbed 43 of them. Higgins has reached a new echelon, and defenses better be ready.
This Sunday, November 8th, at 9:30 a.m. ET, the Bengals will get their chance to rewrite history at the Bernabéu in Madrid. You can catch it on NFL Network or stream it on fubo. Can they finally break their international win drought and solidify their divisional standing, or will the Falcons’ star duo remind everyone what they are capable of? You won’t want to miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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