NFL Football
2026-11-08 - Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 9
Sunday 8th November 2026 - Scheduled 9:30am EST
2:30pm (British Time)
Preview
The NFL International Series moves back to Spain in Week 9 of the season having played here for the first time last season and two teams who are very much in contention within their respective Divisions will be facing one another.
The Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) do have a solid winning record in the AFC North, but the Atlanta Falcons (3-5) are in the NFC South where all four teams have losing records and a Division in which a losing record has been good enough to earn a spot in the Playoffs.
However, the Falcons will travel to Spain having become the first time in over fifty years that has lost a game where the opponent has not had to complete a pass.
This has to force the team to have a positive reaction to prove that they are far better than what was produced in the defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Falcons cannot expect this high-powered Cincinnati Offensive unit to keep them in the game for as long as Tampa Bay allowed.
Over the course of the season, the Falcons Offensive Line has shown enough to believe they can establish the run, which is all important if they are going to win games. Recent games have been more disappointing with Atlanta averaging just 3.5 yards per carry, but they have to be confident in moving the ball on the ground against this Bengals Defensive Line, which has struggled for consistency up front all season.
If the Falcons can keep Michael Penix Jr in third and manageable spots, the Atlanta Falcons have to believe it will spark a passing game that has been struggling. Errors from the Quarter Back proved fatal in the defeat to the Buccaneers, and Penix Jr has to be aware of the ball-hawking abilities of this Cincinnati Secondary, but making quicker throws and allowing the skill players to work the yards after catch is that much more manageable when playing in front of the chains.
A reaction is expected on this side of the ball, but the bigger one may have to come from the Atlanta Defensive Line- they have just allowed the Buccaneers to run the ball 56 times and pick up 5.8 yards per carry!
This week they are facing a Cincinnati team who are much more known for the passing attack, but this may be an opportunity for the Bengals to have one of their better games running the ball. The Offensive Line has not been able to open the lanes that would be expected when you think Cincinnati have Joe Burrow and Wide Receivers like Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins who command such respect, but the Bengals should be able to push the ball on the ground in this game.
Any success on the ground is going to make Cincinnati that much more dangerous in the passing game- even without much support, there is no doubt that the Bengals are 5-2 thanks to the quality they have when going to the air.
Joe Burrow has been pretty well protected when dropping back to throw, which is more impressive without the kind of running game that the Bengals would like. This has given him time to make the plays down the field and this Falcons Secondary cannot expect to be faced with the same plan as the one the Buccaneers put together in the blowout win last week.
Instead, the Bengals will attack through the air and that may give them the edge in the contest, especially if they can turn the ball over a couple of times when Michael Penix Jr drops back to throw.
A big game is coming up for the Bengals against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but this international setting may keep them focused on the matter at hand and that could lead to a solid win for Cincinnati in Spain.
Prediction
Lay the points with the favourite in this International Series game.
The Pick :
Atlanta Falcons 23-27 Cincinnati Bengals
