Falcons Face Cincinnati's Scoring Machine in Madrid
Atlanta looks to bounce back from a rain-soaked shutout loss as they prepare for Joe Burrow and a high-powered receiving corps.
By Leila Reynolds ·
Atlanta Falcons players will face a different set of obstacles on Sunday than they did last week in Florida. The team travels to Madrid, Spain, to face the Cincinnati Bengals, shifting its focus from heavy rain to a high-powered offense led by quarterback Joe Burrow.
The Falcons were held scoreless in a 16-0 defeat by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw four interceptions in that game. The loss left the team seeking a reset before their international matchup.
Cincinnati enters the game with momentum after a 43-36 overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans at home. Burrow threw five touchdown passes and added a rushing score in that win. He accumulated 462 passing yards, marking his second 400-yard game of the season.
The Bengals' receiving corps remains a major threat. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins both surpassed 100 receiving yards in the win over Tennessee. This marks the fourth time since 2021 that both wide receivers have reached that milestone in a single game. Higgins caught 10 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Chase added 11 catches for 141 yards and one score.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged the shift in difficulty. He stated that the league presents unique challenges each week. “But, listen, it’s just a different deal when you go up against Joe Burrow and this offense and what they’re capable of doing and how they play,” Stefanski said. He added that the team is working hard to prepare for the specific skills Cincinnati possesses.
Safety Xavier Watts described the previous game as weird, leaving the defense with a chip on its shoulder. Watts said the goal is to limit explosive plays and disrupt the rhythm of the Bengals. “Joe Burrow is a great quarterback, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are great receivers,” Watts said. He emphasized the need to force takeaways to counter their explosive nature.
The Falcons also have personnel changes to manage. Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. returned to full practice on Wednesday after missing the first eight games of the season. His absence was due to an arrest involving a domestic dispute. Stefanski said he did not yet know how many snaps Pearce would play on Sunday. Linebacker Divine Deablo and running back Brian Robinson were listed as limited participants, while defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. returned to full participation.
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson said the trip to another country offers a chance to move past the previous week's struggles. He described the flight to Madrid as a good opportunity to get on with the next football game.
