Sports · American Football · 7 hrs ago
Joe Burrow leads Bengals to 6-2 start and strengthens MVP case
The Cincinnati Bengals beat Atlanta 34-17 in Madrid on Sunday, improving their record to 6-2.
Quarterback Joe Burrow accounted for four touchdowns in the win, throwing for three and running for one.
Over the past four weeks, he has thrown 16 touchdown passes, a Bengals record for any four-game stretch.
Cincinnati had no playoff appearances from 2023 through 2025, as injuries, problems on the offensive line and a weak defense held the team back.
Burrow now has strong support from receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but the Bengals’ running game remains among the league’s weakest.
His play has made him a leading NFL MVP contender, though Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love and others are also in the race.
The season is still underway, and Burrow’s health and the challenges ahead could affect his chances.
The Cincinnati Bengals are 6-2 after beating the Atlanta Falcons 34-17 in Madrid.
Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes and ran for another, strengthening his case for the NFL Most Valuable Player award.
He completed 24 of 29 passes for 271 yards, with no interceptions, against a Falcons defense ranked fifth in pass defense DVOA.
Burrow has thrown 16 touchdown passes over the past four weeks, the most in a four-game span in Bengals history.
Jordan Love is also presented as a strong MVP contender, and the race remains open.
- Who
- The Cincinnati Bengals, led by quarterback Joe Burrow, played the Atlanta Falcons.
- What
- The Bengals won 34-17, improving to 6-2; Burrow accounted for four touchdowns.
- When
- Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.
- Where
- Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, Spain.
- Why
- Burrow’s performance strengthened his MVP case; the sources describe his recent form and the Bengals’ victory.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Bengals lost Super Bowl LVI to the Los Angeles Rams by three points.
Cincinnati lost the AFC championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs, 23-20.
The Bengals went 24-27 in the regular season and missed the playoffs.
Cincinnati beat Atlanta 34-17 in Madrid to reach a 6-2 record.
- Bengals record
- 6-2
- Final score
- Cincinnati 34, Atlanta 17
- Burrow's passing
- 24 completions on 29 attempts for 271 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions
- Recent touchdown passes
- 16 over four weeks, a Bengals record for a four-game span
- Chase's receiving
- 10 catches for 155 yards and one touchdown
- Higgins's receiving
- Five catches for 47 yards and two touchdowns
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Ja'Marr Chase's first half in Madrid... 142 yards, 8 catches, 47-yard touchdown 🔥 CINvsATL on NFL Network Stream on @NFLPlus