Burrow shines in Madrid as Bengals beat Falcons 34-17
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-17 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain. Quarterback Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes and ran for another touchdown. The win has strengthened talk of Burrow as a leading candidate for the MVP award.
After the game, a local Madrid reporter asked Burrow if he had a message for the audience in Spanish. Smiling sheepishly, Burrow said he had nothing to offer in Spanish. But he answered in a different language on the field, putting the NFL on notice with his performance that he is the MVP favorite this season.
In the match, Burrow threw for 271 yards and missed on only five passes. The Bengals' attack kept control against the Falcons' defense for almost the entire game. Burrow's precise passing and his rushing touchdown gave the Madrid crowd a commanding win to enjoy.
Burrow's recent form makes the performance even more striking. In his last four games, he has accounted for 18 touchdowns and thrown for 1,215 yards. His passer rating across those four games is 132.0. Such consistent performances are why the MVP talk around him is growing louder.
After the game, Burrow said he was delighted to play in front of the people of Spain. Speaking in English, he said he loved putting on a show for the people of Spain and was happy to be there. Many believe playing at the Bernabeu will remain one of the most memorable experiences of his career.
The Madrid game was one of 17 matches in the regular season. If he maintains his current pace over eight games, Burrow's numbers could grow even larger by the end of the full season. No prediction is being made about that yet; rather, his current form is what is driving the MVP discussion.
A tough schedule awaits the Bengals. They must play the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Kansas City Chiefs and probably the Carolina Panthers. Those matches will show how durable the Bengals' dominant form really is.
Alongside Burrow in the attack are Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The combination of the three is considered the most complete passing attack in the NFL. Burrow's understanding with Chase and Higgins has made the Bengals' offense almost unstoppable.
Speaking about his relationship with his teammates, Burrow said they have played together for so long, coming up on 10 years. Playing together for that long has built a mental connection where nothing needs to be said. That understanding on the field is their great strength.
But analysts believe there is only one thing that can contain this Bengals offense: an injury to the quarterback. History says injuries troubled him in two of the last three seasons. Bengals fans hate to recall that memory. If he can stay healthy, many believe the MVP award is within his reach.
Even after the win, Burrow was not fully satisfied. He said they did not score on every single possession, so there is plenty to improve on. That attitude is good news for the Bengals: the team is winning while still seeing its own shortcomings.
This season is also important for Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. Work is under way to rebuild the defense around Burrow's Super Bowl window. The team's success or failure this season could play a major role in deciding Taylor's future.
