Overview
- The Bengals flew to Madrid on Nov. 3–4 and have practiced at the RFEF training facility with a Bernabéu walk‑through scheduled for Nov. 7 as part of a plan to preserve their regular schedule and adjust to the six‑hour time change.
- Joe Burrow enters Week 9 on a multi‑game hot streak and leads the NFL in touchdown passes, giving Cincinnati a potent passing attack that has produced three straight games of 30+ points.
- Atlanta still relies on Bijan Robinson, who leads the league in rushing yards but has been held under 100 yards and without a rushing touchdown in four straight games, and will get pass rusher James Pearce Jr. back from an eight‑game suspension.
- Key on‑field matchups include Dexter Lawrence’s upgraded Bengals interior against Atlanta’s center Ryan Neuzil, Orlando Brown Jr. facing Pearce on the right edge, and the Falcons’ secondary trying to contain Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
- Cincinnati is a 3.5‑point favorite for the 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff at Santiago Bernabéu, and how each team handles travel, routine and pressure generation will likely decide whether this game turns into an offensive shootout or a Falcons ball‑control effort.