The big three of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins feasted in Madrid as the Cincinnati Bengals stormed to a 34-17 over the Atlanta Falcons at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Burrow had spoken of his admiration for Madrid’s museums and galleries during the week. Come gameday he was the provider of fine art while going 24 of 29 for 271 yards and three touchdowns alongside a rushing score to bolster his growing MVP case and underline Cincinnati’s Super Bowl threat.
Chase logged much of his dominance in the first half and finished with 10 catches from 12 targets for 155 yards and a touchdown, while Tee Higgins, who entered the weekend second in the NFL in receiving yards, added two touchdown receptions to help Zac Taylor’s side improve to 6-2.
Bijan Robinson, as is so often the case, was Atlanta’s chief hope as he persisted to 100 rushing yards and a touchdown from 19 carries, while Michael Penix Jr was limited to 162 yards passing for one touchdown and a pick.
The NFL arrived in Madrid for the second year running as it celebrated the seventh of its record nine international games being played in 2026, with Munich and Mexico City to round off the historic slate later this month.
Joe Burrow’s launch finds Ja’Marr Chase to level is for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons continuously hurt their efforts to dig into their deficit by racking up 12 penalties for a loss of 88 yards as they fell to 3-6.
By the end of the first half alone Chase had eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown to help the Bengals build a 24-10 cushion that quashed the early prospects of a shootout.
Robinson spearheaded the Atlanta response out of the break as he kicked outside for a one-yard touchdown to cap an 11-play drive during which he had touched the ball eight times.
But such are the Bengals, such is Burrow, such is Higgins, the retaliation was emphatic. Higgins snagged his second touchdown catch of the day with suction hands under tight coverage at the back of the end zone to make it 31-17, the possession notably driven by Chase Brown and the running game.
Nick Folk squandered a chance to cut into the Bengals’ lead when he missed a 38-yard field goal, before Evan McPherson’s 43-yard kick made it 34-17.
Cincinnati called game with four minutes to play when Penix Jr was intercepted by Barrett Carter on a pass intended for Robinson.
Sydney Brown tackles twin brother Chase during the Cincinnati Bengals clash with the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid.
The Falcons struck first in Madrid when Penix Jr floated a one-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Woerner to cap the opening drive of the game.
It would prompt a ruthless Bengals response, beginning with Burrow’s touch perfect 47-yard touchdown strike to Chase as the Bernabeu erupted to the sight of the NFL’s superstar tandem linking up.
Cincinnati’s under-the-microscope defense followed up with a red zone stand, helped by Falcons penalties, to pave the way for more points.
It was Burrow himself who punched in a one-yard touchdown at the end of an 11-play 70-yard march after Brown was stuffed at the goalline.
Chase starred again moments later with a stunning toe-drag sideline catch to convert on third down, teeing up Burrow’s five-yard touchdown lob to the hands of Higgins for 21-10.
McPherson extended Cincinnati’s lead at the end of the half with a 56-yard field goal.
Stats leaders:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Passing: Joe Burrow, 24/29, 271 yards, 3 TDs
- Rushing: Chase Brown, 8 carries, 55 yards
- Receiving: Ja’Marr Chase, 10 catches, 155 yards, 1 TD
Atlanta Falcons
- Passing: Michael Penix Jr, 20/31, 162 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Rushing: Bijan Robinson, 19 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: Drake London, 5 catches, 68 yards
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