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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\nKey Matchups and Handicap: Bengals vs Falcons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Much like Mike McCarthy and Kellen Moore wondering why their teams were in Paris amid unrest two weeks ago, Zac Taylor and Kevin Stefanski may be asking similar questions this week in Madrid, where political tensions are running high. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The travel logistics aside, this game shapes up as a high-scoring affair between two offenses capable of exploding on the right surface, and the pitch at the Bernabeu should provide exactly that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Falcons Should Welcome a Dry Pitch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The Falcons might just be happy to play on a dry surface after nearly drowning on the waterlogged Raymond James Stadium turf last week. A torrential downpour made it hard to stay upright, let alone throw the ball downfield, and the Buccaneers decided passing was not necessary at all. On a pitch good enough for Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius every week, Atlanta should not face the same field-condition issues. On a dry track, the Falcons have shown plenty of bite this season, routing Green Bay on the road and handing the 49ers their only loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Atlanta Offense Thrives With Penix<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Both of those signature wins came after quarterback Michael Penix Jr. returned to action. With Penix at the controls, Atlanta was scoring at a 32-point-per-game pace, the best mark in the NFL, before running into the deluge in Tampa. The rain can take much of the blame for what may have been Penix's worst performance since 2021 at Indiana, which was the last time he threw more than two interceptions in a game before last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Bengals Defense Under Fire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The Bengals may hope last week's escape against the lowly Titans was just a flat spot, but the conversation around Cincinnati is about a defense that allowed 36 points to a punchless Tennessee offense. Slow starts are also an ongoing concern for Taylor, and the Bengals cannot expect Joe Burrow to throw six touchdown passes in come-from-behind mode every week like he did last Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Cincinnati Leaning on a Red-Hot Burrow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Burrow is the hottest quarterback in the league, throwing at least four touchdown passes in three straight games, and Atlanta's coverage schemes suggest Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins could find favorable matchups. However, Cincinnati's three-game winning streak has come against the one-win Dolphins, the Ravens without Lamar Jackson, and another one-win team in the Titans, who forced overtime on the road. Nothing suggests this game will be easy for the Bengals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
CIN vs ATL Betting Trends<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nCIN vs ATL Key Injuries and Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nBengals vs Falcons ATS and Total Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
ATS Pick: Falcons +3 (-108).<\/strong> The public is backing Cincinnati heavily, but the Bengals' recent wins have come against weak competition, and their defense just gave up 36 points to one of the league's least productive offenses. Atlanta's offense has been the NFL's most prolific with Penix healthy, and last week's dud can be chalked up to the weather. Getting a field goal with the Falcons on a dry surface is a strong spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nMoneyline Pick: Atlanta Falcons.<\/strong> Atlanta has already beaten quality opponents this season and should be able to exploit a vulnerable Bengals defense, making the Falcons a live underdog to win outright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nTotal Pick: Over 52.5 (-110).<\/strong> Burrow is on a historic hot streak, Atlanta's offense thrives on a dry track, and Cincinnati's defense has struggled badly. Both teams have the firepower to put up 30 points, and this game should be a shootout from start to finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nBengals vs Falcons Best Bets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nFinal Score Prediction for Bengals vs Falcons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Burrow and the Bengals will put up their share of points, but Penix and the Falcons should bounce back in a big way on the dry pitch in Madrid. Expect a back-and-forth shootout that sails over the total, with Atlanta making one more play late to pull off the upset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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