The Atlanta Falcons' Week 8 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was supposed to be the easy game in a brutal run in the middle of their 2026 schedule.
Now, after losing to Tampa without Baker Mayfield having completed a single pass, they have to prepare to face the hottest quarterback in the NFL.
That would be Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow, who just dropped an insane statline in a win over the Tennessee Titans, including six total touchdowns and over 450 passing yards. It's the first time a quarterback has dropped that kind of line in 75 years.
Joe Burrow is the second QB in NFL history with 450 passing yards, 5 pass TD and 1 rush TD in a single game, and first in 75 years! The other was Norm Van Brocklin in 1951, who set the NFL record
with 554 passing yards in that game. pic.twitter.com/R7rArOTIXm
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) November 1, 2026
This wasn't just a one-off, either. It's part of a growing trend for Burrow, who's put up some incredible numbers over his last three games. First, he dropped four touchdowns in a win over the MIami Dolphins, then four more in a win over the Baltimore Ravens, both without throwing a single pick.
That brings his three-game totals to 14 total touchdowns and three interceptions. Burrow now leads the league in touchdown passes this season with 20.
Burrow is always a challenge, and now there's the added threat of a rejuvenated Bengals defense, which has radically improved this season thanks to the addition of Dexter Lawrence and a few other new pieces. Heading into Week 9, Cincinnati ranks 14th in scoring defense, up from 30th last season.
The Falcons will meet the Bengals in Madrid, Spain for an early kickoff (9:30 a.m. ET).
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Joe Burrow red-hot going into Madrid matchup with Falcons
