Joe Burrow’s MVP push met Michael Penix Jr. on foreign soil as the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons kicked off Week 9 of the NFL season in Madrid at 9:30 a.m. ET, Yahoo Sports reported.
The international showdown at the Bernabéu marked the seventh fixture of the league’s nine-game international slate for 2026. ESPN noted that the matchup was one of 13 games scheduled across the Sunday slate.
FINAL: The @Bengals get the win in Madrid and move to 6-2. pic.twitter.com/08QkUvLl4e
Chase Brown Seeks Momentum While Falcons Eye NFC South Recovery
- Chase Brown enters the matchup looking to build on his 101-scrimmage-yard performance against Tennessee.
- The Falcons aim to break an early-season skid against AFC opponents to salvage their standing in the NFC South.
The Battle of the Brown Brothers in Madrid
NFL.com reported a unique family storyline as Cincinnati running back Chase Brown squared off against Atlanta defensive back Sydney Brown for the second time in their professional careers. The European encounter brought the twin brothers back together on the gridiron following their high school relocation to Bradenton, Florida, and their respective college stints at Western Michigan, Illinois, and eventually the NFL.
The brothers previously met during the 2024 season when Sydney’s Philadelphia Eagles defeated Chase’s Bengals 37-17, a game where Chase scored a touchdown and Sydney logged three defensive snaps, according to NFL.com.
Entering this international matchup, Chase looked to maintain momentum after a productive outing against Tennessee, while Sydney accumulated 28 tackles, one tackle for loss, a pass defensed, and a forced fumble through his first eight contests with Atlanta.
Evan McPherson nails it from 57 yards out.@Bengals lead 24-10 in Madrid. CINvsATL on NFL Network Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/rYbuEh2gM9
AFC vs. NFC Stakes and Early Season Struggles
The Falcoholic reported that the Falcons entered the morning fixture seeking their first victory against an AFC opponent this season. A loss would drop Atlanta to 3-6, deepening their deficit in the NFC South and the broader conference playoff picture following an ugly loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Meanwhile, the early Sunday kickoff in Spain forced fans back home to adapt their routines. The Falcoholic noted that supporters were grabbing early morning coffees to settle in for the action as the Bengals looked to contain running back Bijan Robinson while Ja’Marr Chase stayed focused on the moment.
| Player | Team | Key Season Context |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals | Driving an early-season MVP campaign in Madrid |
| Michael Penix Jr. | Atlanta Falcons | Directing the Falcons offense against the AFC |
| Chase Brown | Cincinnati Bengals | Coming off a 101-scrimmage-yard game versus Tennessee |
| Sydney Brown | Atlanta Falcons | Recorded 28 tackles through his first eight games |
With the international series continuing throughout the league calendar, the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday pressures front offices to manage workloads and injuries.
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That'll do it from Madrid. The Falcons are thwarted by a dynamic Bengals offense and a season-high in penalties. More from @willmcfadden and I in the Game Breakdown. https://t.co/FEccCdGak8
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Bengals halftime observations in Madrid: * Bengals lead Falcons 24-10. * Joe Burrow 18 of 22 for 239 yards, 2 TDs and a rushing TD. His passer rating is 142.2 * Ja'Marr Chase 8 catches for 142 yards, including a 47-yard TD, a 31-yard crosser, a 11-yarder when he reacted to a…
