Bengals Travel to Madrid for Week 9
Cincinnati seeks a fourth win against Atlanta while Dallas targets Indianapolis in a high-scoring clash.
By Elena Perry ·
The Cincinnati Bengals travel to Madrid to face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, seeking to extend a three-game winning streak. The matchup pits a high-volume passing attack against a defensive scheme that allows for open targets. Joe Burrow has thrown at least four touchdowns in each of the last three contests. Both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins present threats against a Falcons unit that plays the second-highest rate of man-free coverage in the league.
The Bengals have won three straight games. This current run follows a period where the team faced challenges in its offensive execution. The move to Spain for a regular season game is a logistical shift for both squads. The Falcons will be the visitors in this specific geographic context, as the game is held in a neutral location relative to both teams' home markets.
The Dallas Cowboys look to rebound from a home loss to the Arizona Cardinals. They will face the Indianapolis Colts, a team that recently fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Analysts project a high-scoring affair between these two clubs. The total points line is set at 52. This number reflects the offensive capabilities of both rosters and the defensive struggles they currently face.
The Cowboys have difficulty stopping the run, a weakness that benefits Jonathan Taylor. When Dallas focuses on containing Taylor, quarterback Daniel Jones faces easier passing situations. The Colts face a similar dilemma. If they prioritize stopping running back Javonte Williams, Dak Prescott gains opportunities with receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. These defensive choices create openings for points on both sides of the ball.
The Bears and Seahawks play Monday night at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN. That game concludes Week 8. Odds for Week 9 games are provided by DraftKings and are subject to change. Matt Bowen and Pamela Maldonado shared their picks before potential shifts in the betting lines later in the week.
The Bengals are favored by three points in Madrid. The Cowboys and Colts game is projected to exceed 52 points. The Lions beat the Vikings 19-15 last week, covering a three-point spread. The Packers defeated the Panthers 27-19, a result that hit the over on a 47.5-point total.
