Pittsburgh Steelers to scout Bengals in Madrid before Nov. 15
The Pittsburgh Steelers will use their bye week to get an early look at the Cincinnati Bengals, who will face the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid ahead of Pittsburgh’s Nov. 15 road game at Cincinnati, Steelers.com reported Nov. 8. The Bengals-Falcons international contest kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Madrid and will be televised on NFL Network, giving Steelers staff an opportunity for advanced scouting. The scheduling allows Pittsburgh to observe the matchup live while preserving typical bye-week preparation.
The Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) bring one of the NFL’s top offenses into Week 9, averaging 29.4 points per game and converting 52.9 percent of third downs, the highest rate noted since the 2011 New Orleans Saints (56.7). Quarterback Joe Burrow leads the league with a 73.0 completion percentage and is averaging 302.1 passing yards per game while throwing 20 touchdown passes. Wide receiver Tee Higgins is producing career highs, averaging 103.7 receiving yards per game and 16.9 yards per reception, and Burrow has a 132.3 passer rating when targeting Higgins. Steelers.com noted those figures.
The Atlanta Falcons (3-5) present their own challenges, particularly on the ground. Running back Bijan Robinson leads the NFL with 780 rushing yards, ranks fourth in yards from scrimmage with 983 and is third in average yards per touch (minimum 75 touches) at 5.6. Atlanta averaged 40.0 points per game earlier in the season and won its first two games with Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback, but has lost three of its last four. Tampa Bay beat the Falcons 16-0, the first shutout of 2026, and Steelers.com reported that Atlanta became the first team to be shut out in 2026 in that game.
The international matchup offers Pittsburgh a condensed scouting window to evaluate personnel and tendencies they will face on Nov. 15 in Cincinnati. The Bengals rank second in scoring and present a high-volume passing attack, while Atlanta’s run game and Bijan Robinson remain focal points. Pittsburgh’s coaching staff can leverage the Week 9 slate, particularly the Spain game, to refine game plans and personnel decisions ahead of the road contest. The live tape and observations could influence preparation and assignments during the remaining days of the bye week.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Steelers can gain practical scouting value from Cincinnati’s international game without leaving the bye-week routine. Watching Burrow and Higgins together in a live setting will be important for preparing pass-rush alignments and coverage plans given Cincinnati’s prolific passing numbers and high third-down efficiency. At the same time, Atlanta’s ability to move the ball on the ground with Bijan Robinson offers a reminder that Cincinnati will not be a one-dimensional opponent. The extra days before the Nov. 15 meeting at Cincinnati provide Pittsburgh time to translate observations from Week 9 into a targeted game plan.