Bengals Target First Win Abroad Against Falcons in Madrid

The Cincinnati Bengals will attempt to secure their first victory outside the United States when they face the Atlanta Falcons at the Bernabéu stadium in Madrid on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET, with the broadcast available on NFL Network and streaming on fubo.

This matchup marks the NFL's return to international play following a week without an overseas game. The Bernabéu hosted an American football game last year, making this the second consecutive season for the venue. Cincinnati has played two international games in the past, most recently in 2019, resulting in one loss and one tie. Atlanta has a record of two wins and three losses abroad, which includes a defeat in Berlin during the previous season.

Both teams enter the game half a game behind their respective division leaders. Cincinnati has won its last three contests, scoring at least 31 points in each. In the AFC North, three teams currently hold winning records. Atlanta has lost two of its last three games, including a shutout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8. Despite the recent struggles, the Falcons remain close to the NFC South lead in a division where no team reached a .500 record through the first two months of the season.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow leads the league with 20 touchdown passes and maintains a passer rating of 111.6. He sits just 0.1 points behind the league leader. Burrow has missed a combined 16 games over the last three seasons due to injuries. Tee Higgins has matched teammate Ja'Marr Chase in targets and receptions through their first seven games. Each has been targeted 61 times and caught 43 passes. Higgins has gained 726 receiving yards, placing him second in the league behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

The Falcons rely on Bijan Robinson, who leads the NFL with 780 rushing yards, and Drake London, whose 624 receiving yards rank sixth in the league. They will face a Cincinnati defense that allowed 36 points to the Tennessee Titans in its previous game. Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed eight of 24 passes in rainy conditions during the Week 8 loss.

Atlanta may receive a boost from second-year pass rusher James Pearce Jr., who is eligible for his season debut after being reinstated from an eight-game suspension. The suspension stemmed from a violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy following felony charges from an offseason domestic dispute, which are on track to be dropped. Pearce recorded 10.5 sacks as a rookie while starting only three games and is returning to a defense ranked sixth in quarterback pressure rate.