The Cincinnati Bengals enter uncharted territory in the Joe Burrow era this week, as they play their first international game since 2019. Burrow and the Bengals head to Madrid to play as the designated away team against the Atlanta Falcons.
It will be the third international game in franchise history. The previous two, both ended in defeat against the Washington Redskins in 2016, and the Los Angeles Rams seven years ago. Burrow will hope to change the narrative and get the Bengals to 6-2 on the season.
So far this season, the Cincy offense has been as pass-reliant as ever. Burrow is putting up MVP numbers again, and the difference between production through the air and on the ground is a vast chasm.
Running back Chase Brown has really struggled this season. He's averaged just 3.6 yards per carry, and he's failed to rush for more than 60 yards in the last four games. Because of Brown's underwhelming stats, there has been a lot of talk about the Bengals potentially trading for Colts running back Jonathan Taylor before the deadline next week.
It is understood that Cincinnati is one of several teams, alongside the Giants, Broncos and Minnesota Vikings to have 'checked in' on Taylor over a trade. It would be a very un-Bengals move to make, but they did it with Dexter Lawrence, so why not again?
The Falcons game could be Brown's last chance to prove himself
Seeing as the trade deadline is next Tuesday, Sunday's game against Atlanta will be Brown's last chance to prove to the Bengals that he is good enough to lead the backfield before the deadline hits. Considering that Cincy's front office must be at least entertaining the notion of a trade for Taylor, Brown had better impress.
Furthermore, he really has no excuse. The offensive line is playing well both in run and pass blocking, and opposing teams certainly aren't focusing all their defensive attention on Brown, with Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to worry about.
The Falcons' rushing defense has been poor this year too. They've allowed the fifth-most rushes for 20+ yards, and the second-most rushes for 40+ yards. Plus, in their game last week against Tampa Bay, they allowed Bucky Irving 170 yards on the ground and Kenny Gainwell 140 yards (310 yards combined).
It wasn't just a one-week issue either, as in Week 7, they allowed over five yards per carry to both Christian McCaffrey, and Kaelon Black, combining for over 100 yards rushing.
This defense has holes when it comes to defending the running game. Considering that the Bengals' o-line has been impressive, Brown really has no reason to fail on Sunday. If he does, the front office could decide to make a few calls...
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