- Travel plans: Perhaps the most interesting thing about the international slate this season is the difference in travel opinion. Sleep experts, doctors, logic and more all seem to have a variety of approaches to getting ready for a football game overseas. The team that adapts to the change the best might end up leaving Madrid with a victory.
- Running of the *backs: Everyone knows what Bijan Robinson brings to the table, but what about Chase Brown? The Bengals have been overly reliant on the passing game all season long as Brown has struggled to break out. He has just two games with over 60 rushing yards for Cincinnati this season and now gets a matchup against a defense that just surrendered 310 to Tampa in Week 8, losing to a Bucs team that didn't complete a pass all afternoon. The running backs could take centerstage in Madrid.
- Under this roof: The Falcons proved that they aren't fans of Mother Nature in Week 8, seemingly forgetting how to play football in anything less than perfect conditions. Luckily for Atlanta, there is a roof at the Bernabéu. Perhaps that will help the Falcons bounce back after a deflating loss to the rival Bucs.
- Back in the nest: James Pearce Jr. completed his eight-game suspension for his involvement in a domestic incident with his ex-girlfriend, Chicago Sky forward, Rickea Jackson. He is now eligible to return for the Falcons, which could transform the team's defense. Pearce totaled 10.5 sacks in his rookie season, but his off-field troubles remain the headline.
Falcons vs Bengals odds, moneyline, over/under
Opening lines:
- Spread: Bengals -3.5
- Moneyline: Bengals -160; Falcons +140
- Total: 52.5
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Falcons vs Bengals USA TODAY expert picks
Adam Kaufman: Bengals 30, Falcons 24
Set those alarms! After a one-week break, we've got more international action – this time in Madrid, where Cincinnati will try to make winning considerably less stressful than last week's overtime escape of Tennessee. Joe Burrow's offense can score with anybody. Unfortunately, the Bengals' defense can help just about anybody score, too. That gives the Falcons a fighting chance to rebound from Michael Penix Jr.'s four-interception disaster against the Buccaneers. Atlanta needs to feature Bijan Robinson and stop asking its quarterback to save the day. The Falcons won't be shutout again, but I trust Burrow to deliver the decisive drive in a competitive fourth quarter, further building
his MVP case.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Bengals 34, Falcons 28
Good timing on the international trip for the Falcons, who probably want to get several thousand miles away from their rain-soaked shutout loss to the Buccaneers. Cincinnati likely won't trample Atlanta in similar fashion, but Joe Burrow poses a serious threat to a defense that could get burned if it can't get home against him. Michael Penix Jr. could be in line for a bounceback performance against a struggling Bengals secondary, though it might not be enough to prevail in a possible shootout.
Nicholas Brinkerhoff: Falcons 31, Bengals 27
The Bengals have been playing with playing with fire recently. Eventually, it will burn them. And there's a good chance that moment comes in Week 9 when they battle the Falcons in Madrid. Atlanta will be desperate to overcome an embarrassing loss in Week 8 that included four interceptions from Michael Penix Jr. during a rainy day in Tampa. Luckily, Bijan Robinson is the great equalizer and there will be no weather woes. The Falcons bounce back and leave the Bengals with questions heading into the trade deadline.
Where to watch Bengals at Falcons
- Matchup: Falcons vs. Bengals
- Date: Nov. 8
- Time: 9:30 a.m.
- Venue: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
- Location: Madrid, Spain
- TV: NFL Network
Bengals at Falcons upated injury report
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bengals at Falcons: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 9 game
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