5 winners (and 2 losers) for Bengals from Madrid manhandling of Falcons

The Cincinnati Bengals' defense got some much-needed aid from the Atlanta Falcons’ self-destructive offensive penalties, but ultimately, the team's 34-17 rout in Madrid was more about Joe Burrow and the passing attack.

Burrow and his dynamic duo of wide receivers, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, did what they do best on the grand international stage at Bernabéu Stadium. Even the best efforts of ex-Bengal Jessie Bates, who had no fewer than seven tackles in the first half, couldn't provide any meaningful resistance.

Yours truly was on the scene to bear witness to sheer greatness. Maybe with how demoralizing the loss was, Bates will demand a trade back to Cincy. A man can dream...

Winner(s): Joe Burrow/Joe Burrow's MVP stock/Joseph Lee Burrow's international brand

You could probably make this a three-for-one winning special, but we'll just count it as one for purposes of not cheating/cheapening this exercise.

Joe Burrow should indeed be the MVP favorite. He completed 82.8% of his passes (24-for-29) for 271 yards and three TDs. Also plunged in from one yard out for another score. I don't know how you can play quarterback much better than that.

Burrow was bold enough to say on public record that his team was going to put on a show on Sunday. I mean, he backed it up and then some. When he says something like this, generally trust that he'll walk the walk if you don't already.

Re: International branding, Joe Shiesty adamant about growing the sport of football internationally, too. Safe to say he did his part today. And he kept his broader abroad mission messaging strong afterwards!

Loser: DJ Turner (or is the refs?)

I can't put the officiating on blast too much because they were trigger-happy on the whistle when it came to Atlanta's myriad offensive penalties that wiped out so many potentially big plays.

But DJ Turner is a lockdown cornerback. Legitimately. He should get the benefit of the doubt if there's a competitive play and he's fighting for the ball in good position. That's how the game works. Except not for a Bengals star player, oh no!

Turner got whistled for two pass interference calls in the end zone. From what I saw live, neither of them were deserved at all. So I call Turner a "loser" but really it's more like he got hosed by the refs.

Winner: Ja'Marr Chase/his mood

JA-MAHH was in a holiday humor on the sidelines even after Tee Higgins caught his first of two TDs on the day. This was a stark contrast to last week when Chase was livid even after Mike Gesicki found the end zone.

I just feel like this change of scenery in Madrid was what the Bengals needed to switch things up. Get out of their own heads.

What a freaking first half from Ja'Marr. That bomb to him from Burrow was coming right toward the end zone where I was seated. So electric. That was the loudest the stadium got the entire game. And deservedly so.

Chase made a sick one-handed catch as well. Could've easily gotten another touchdown or two if he hadn't gotten tackled just short of the goal line on a couple occasions. Oh well. Ten catches for 155 and the long TD is a fine day of work.

Where are all the people who were concerned about his lack of 100-yard receiving games? Ja'Marr now has 21 receptions for 296 yards and two TDs in his last two starts. Decent! Think he's OK!

Winner: Dexter Lawrence

Not a surprise here. Dexter Lawrence had the Falcons' offensive line shaking in their boots. No doubt a huge reason why Atlanta committed a whopping 12 penalties for 88 yards overall. Much of those were procedural or holding calls on the offense.

Lawrence got credited with five pressures by PFF's initial grading. I know he forced a pressure down near the goal line that led to a field goal. There were plenty more disruptive plays where that came from.

Just as important: Bringing the Sexy Dexy dance to Madrid in the postgame interview. How can you not love this man?

Loser: Demetrius Knight Jr.

If run defense is supposed to be Demetrius Knight Jr.'s calling card, well, he can't be missing three tackles in a game like he did on Sunday. Or so that was the apparent case from the PFF numbers.

I know for sure Knight came screaming untouched into the A gap and didn't get a finger on Bijan Robinson. I know Bijan is a DUDE and does that to guys quite often, but still. Disappointing. A term that comes up often with Demetrius.

It's almost like the Bengals could've totally upgraded the linebacker position and went out of their way to choose not to.

Winner: Chase Brown

I mean hey, does it feel like there's meat left on the bone so to speak almost every time Chase Brown touches the ball? Yes. Did he play perhaps his best game of the season on Sunday? Yes, too.

Nine carries for 57 yards? We'll take it! A run of 15+ yards? Who is this man!?!? I know those aren't like the most prolific numbers you've ever seen but any sliver of competence from the rushing attack would do wonders for Burrow and the rest of the offense going forward.

Brown appeared to run with more physicality and decisiveness. We know the Bengals don't have a bunch of scrubs at offensive line so maybe Brown would literally laugh in my face over that rather subjective assessment, but just calling it like I saw it live!

Good to see a little progress. There was even an ice little misdirection run where Brown picked up a chunk gain. Couldn't believe my eyes that there was some less predictable wrinkle to the run game!!

We'll see if Jonathan Taylor becomes a Bengal at the trade deadline. Maybe Brown did just enough to avoid that scenario. Still, give me JT. Right? This stat is still a thing after all...

OK but not to end on a down note.

Winner: Evan McPherson

The perfect season continues, baby. I caught Evan McPherson drilling kicks through the uprights from 55-ish yards with ease during warmups. Then, he stepped out there when it really counted and nailed one from 57 out. That was critical to stretch the Bengals' lead to 24-10 at half.

Plenty of room to spare on that one. McPherson wasn't in any danger of missing his PATs, nor was there ever a doubt he'd convert from 43 yards out (a chip shot for him) for the final points of the game.

Money Mac is arguably kicking as well as anyone in the game through Week 9. An X-factor and a weapon indeed who should come in handy for the postseason.

All told, Madrid was electric this week. Bengals fans far outnumbered those of the Falcons from what I saw in the streets and felt at the stadium. The Falcons were the supposed designated "home team." We all know who the real home team was, and it showed on the field.

How does 6-2 sound? PRETTY GOOD! WHO DEY!! And this was awesome from Tee. He screamed this in my general direction and got us fired up...

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