Bengals in Madrid: Burrow explores museums as team preps for Falcons
Cincinnati players used their early arrival to visit landmarks and adjust to the time zone before Sunday's international game.
By Ivan Dvorak ·
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow visited the Museo del Prado on Wednesday, a day after his team arrived in Madrid. The early flight allowed the squad to acclimate to the six-hour time difference and explore the city before Sunday's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
Burrow said he chose to visit the museum to experience the capital like a local. He noted that he can often walk around without being recognized, which he enjoys. However, he admitted that a group of American students studying abroad spotted him while he was walking. Burrow said he expected to remain incognito but was surprised by the encounter.
Head coach Zac Taylor gave the team the day off on Wednesday to help with jet lag. Burrow plans to visit more art galleries and do some shopping on Friday evening. He said he has not finalized his itinerary but wants to see more of the city before the game.
Right tackle Amarius Mims struggled to adjust to the time change initially. He told Bengals radio voice Dan Hoard that he fell asleep on Wednesday, woke up at 12:30 a.m. local time to watch a Philadelphia 76ers game, and then slept until 7:30 a.m. Mims also visited the Real Casa de Correos and walked around the city with other offensive linemen.
Wide receiver Tee Higgins will make his first trip to Europe this week. Higgins, who is averaging 100 receiving yards per game this season, said he was amazed to finally cross the Atlantic. He brought his family, and it is their first visit to the continent as well. Higgins leads the Bengals with 43 catches for 726 yards entering Week 9.
Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase spent Wednesday looking for food he liked. Chase said he was initially annoyed at not finding his preferred meals but has since settled in. He credited Higgins for making him a better player during the season. The two have formed a strong receiving tandem for the Bengals.
The Bengals are 5-2 and will travel to Pittsburgh for a Week 10 game against the Steelers if they beat the Falcons on Sunday. The team arrives in Madrid as the visiting squad, though Bengals fans have outnumbered Atlanta supporters in the city this week. The game is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.
