Bengals Face Bijan Robinson as Who Dey Nation Fills Madrid
The Cincinnati Bengals will play the Atlanta Falcons at Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET, Bengals.com senior writer Geoff Hobson reported on Nov. 7, 2026. Hobson described a large contingent of Who Dey Nation in Madrid ahead of the game. The matchup will air locally on Cincinnatis Channel 5 and nationally on NFL Network.
Hobson wrote that fans clustered around Madrids Mercado de San Miguel and nearby landmarks, wearing Bengals jerseys from multiple eras. He highlighted supporters who traveled from across Europe and the United States to attend, and he noted one fan from Munich, Florian Kroess, who told Hobson the game was his first NFL contest and had been a memorable experience. Hobson added that some fans are already planning for future international appearances by the team.
Hobson reported that the Bengals will focus on containing Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, whom Hobson described as historic and prolific this season. At 5-11 and 215 pounds, Robinson leads the NFL in rushing and is averaging more than five yards per touch. Hobson wrote that Robinson had 983 scrimmage yards and was about 10 yards shy of Edgerrin James mark for fifth-most scrimmage yards by age 25, and that Atlantas ground game ranked fourth in the league.
Hobson wrote that Cincinnati would lean on veteran nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II to slow the Falcons rushing attack and cited Lawrences sack with 27 seconds remaining in regulation that helped set up an overtime win the previous week. According to Hobsons report citing Next Gen Stats, the Bengals rushing success rate was 31.3 percent when Lawrence was on the field, which Hobson described as the best rate in the NFL; he wrote that the rate rose to 50.8 percent when Lawrence was off the field. Hobson also reported that Lawrence had 10 run stuffs for a loss or no gain, the most among defensive linemen, and that he was tied with Jeffery Simmons and Quinnen Williams for the most sacks by a tackle with five.
On offense, Hobson wrote that wide receiver JaMarr Chase appeared calmer during the week after an emotional finish the previous Sunday and that Chase discussed leadership and perception with coach Zac Taylor. Hobson noted Tee Higgins among the league leaders in receiving yards and Chase among the leaders in touchdown catches, and he cited passer-rating splits showing Joe Burrow with a 132.3 passer rating targeting Higgins and a 113.6 rating targeting Chase. Hobson reported that Chase emphasized staying in the moment and moving on from mistakes as priorities for the team.
Hobson included several game-day notes: cornerback D.J. Turner II, who left last Sundays game with a heel issue, practiced fully Thursday and Friday and was listed as ready to play. He reported that backup edge and special-teams player Cedric Johnson (ankle) went full on Friday but remained questionable. Hobson added that tight end Mike Gesicki was attempting to become the third tight end in NFL history to record a touchdown catch in six consecutive games, a mark previously reached by Mark Andrews in 2024 and Rob Gronkowski in 2011. Hobson also noted Cincinnati ranked 20th against the run, holding the Ravens to 83 rushing yards one week and allowing 158 rushing yards to the Titans the following week.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The outcome in Madrid will likely hinge on whether the Bengals can prevent Bijan Robinson from reaching the second level and force the Falcons to win through the air. Hobsons citation of Next Gen Stats underscores how central the presence identified as Dexter Lawrence II has been to Cincinnatis run-defense performance, and slowing Robinson will require disciplined gap integrity and collective effort from the defensive front. Offensively, Burrows efficiency when targeting Tee Higgins and JaMarr Chase provides Cincinnati a clear advantage in the passing game. Matchups such as D.J. Turner II against Drake London and Cincinnatis ability to swarm on early-down runs will help determine whether the Bengals can leave Madrid with a victory.