Bengals Beat Falcons 34-17 in Madrid as Burrow and Chase Star in NFL's First Spain Game

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-17 on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Spain, played at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes and ran for another, while Ja'Marr Chase piled up 155 receiving yards in a statement win that kept Cincinnati tied at the top of the AFC North.

Quick Answer: Bengals 34, Falcons 17 in Madrid

The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-17 on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain. Joe Burrow completed 24 of 29 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns, added a 1-yard rushing touchdown, and finished without an interception. Ja'Marr Chase caught 10 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown, and Tee Higgins caught two touchdown passes. The win was Cincinnati's fourth in a row and improved the Bengals to 6-2, tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC North. Atlanta fell to 3-6 after losing for the fourth time in five games.

How the Bengals Took Control in Madrid

Atlanta struck first. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. connected with tight end Charlie Woerner for a 1-yard touchdown on the Falcons' opening drive, and the early signs pointed to a shootout in front of the Madrid crowd. Cincinnati answered immediately: Burrow hit Chase deep for a 47-yard touchdown on third down, beating double coverage to tie the game at 7-7.

The second quarter decided the game. The Bengals scored 17 unanswered points — a 1-yard Burrow quarterback sneak, a touchdown pass to Tee Higgins, and a booming 57-yard field goal by Evan McPherson in the final seconds of the half — to take a 24-10 lead into the break. Cincinnati scored on every possession before halftime.

Atlanta's best weapon, running back Bijan Robinson, fought hard with 100 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, but the Falcons could not keep pace. Penix finished 20 of 31 for 162 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and McPherson's 43-yard field goal sealed the 34-17 final score.

Joe Burrow's MVP-Level Day at the Bernabéu

Burrow was nearly flawless in Madrid. He completed 24 of 29 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns, posted a 140.1 passer rating, and did not throw an interception. It was his fourth straight game with at least three touchdown passes — and his fifth such game in the last six.

The numbers behind Burrow's hot streak are historic for Cincinnati. He now has 16 passing touchdowns over his last four games, the most in any four-game span in Bengals history, and 23 touchdowns against just six interceptions on the 2026 season. Burrow had spoken during the week about his admiration for Madrid's museums and galleries; on game day, he produced the fine art himself.

Ja'Marr Chase's Record First Half

Chase did most of his damage before halftime. He had eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown in the first half alone — the most receiving yards in a first half of his career — and finished with 10 catches on 12 targets for 155 yards and a touchdown.

Higgins, who entered the weekend second in the NFL in receiving yards, added two touchdown catches of his own, giving Cincinnati's star trio of Burrow, Chase and Higgins a combined four receiving touchdowns on the day. The Bengals outgained the Falcons 388 yards to 319 in total offense and have now scored 30 or more points in four straight games for the first time since 1997.

What the Win Means for the AFC North

The victory moved the Bengals to 6-2 and into a tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the top of the AFC North after their fourth consecutive win. Cincinnati's offense has become one of the NFL's most dangerous units, and Burrow's growing MVP case is now impossible to ignore.

For Atlanta, the loss underlined a season slipping away. The Falcons dropped to 3-6 and have now lost four of their last five games. Two pass interference penalties on Bengals cornerback DJ Turner II set up both of Atlanta's touchdowns, but the Falcons' defense had no answer for Burrow and Chase once Cincinnati found its rhythm.

Why the Madrid Game Matters

Sunday's game was the NFL's first regular-season game ever played in Spain, staged at the Santiago Bernabéu — one of world soccer's most famous stadiums — as part of the league's international series. The 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff gave American fans a morning game, while a packed Madrid crowd, waving Spanish and American flags, got a showcase of the NFL's brightest offensive stars.

The league's global push continues to grow, and the Bengals' dominant performance gave the Spanish audience a memorable first taste of regular-season NFL football. For Cincinnati, the trip home comes with a share of first place and an offense playing as well as any in the league.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the Bengals vs. Falcons game in Madrid?

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-17 on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain. It was a Week 9 regular-season NFL game.

How did Joe Burrow play against the Falcons in Madrid?

Joe Burrow completed 24 of 29 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, and he also scored on a 1-yard rushing touchdown. His passer rating was 140.1, and it was his fourth straight game with at least three touchdown passes.

How many yards did Ja'Marr Chase have in the Madrid game?

Ja'Marr Chase caught 10 passes on 12 targets for 155 yards and one touchdown, including a 47-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. He had 142 receiving yards in the first half alone, a career high for a first half.

Was this the first NFL game played in Spain?

Yes. The Bengals vs. Falcons game on November 8, 2026, was the NFL's first regular-season game played in Spain. It was held at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid as part of the NFL International Series.

What are the Bengals' and Falcons' records after the Madrid game?

The Bengals improved to 6-2 with their fourth straight win and are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC North. The Falcons fell to 3-6, having lost four of their last five games.

Who scored touchdowns for the Bengals in Madrid?

Joe Burrow threw touchdown passes to Ja'Marr Chase (47 yards) and Tee Higgins (two touchdowns) and scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown himself. Evan McPherson also kicked field goals, including a 57-yard field goal just before halftime.

Sources: Sky Sports, Sportsnet, Yardbarker, Sportradar, DAZN, VAVEL. Final score and player statistics verified against multiple reports from the game at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, on November 8, 2026.