Bengals-Falcons Madrid Pick, Plus Chiefs-Jets Preview

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Bengals Positioned to Make Noise as Jets Face a Difficult Kansas City Matchup

The international game in Madrid gives the Bengals an opportunity to improve their record and make noise in the AFC. Atlanta has been difficult to evaluate, looking dominant one week before struggling the next, with much of that inconsistency tied to quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Although Penix is considered Atlanta’s best quarterback, the offense operates almost exclusively through Bijan Robinson and Drake London. Defenses may not completely remove either player from the game, but limiting their impact could create serious problems for a Falcons team that has dropped three of its last four games.

The Bengals, meanwhile, continue to cruise. Their wins have not always looked impressive, including a narrow victory over Tennessee and a seven-point win over Miami, but they have scored more than 30 points per game during their winning streak.

With Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown, Cincinnati’s offense is difficult to slow down. That formula may not translate to postseason success, but it should be enough this week and could help the Bengals finish with 10 or 11 wins.

The Jets face a much tougher outlook against Kansas City. They are getting 10 points and may have a better chance to cover than Baltimore does in a game with the same spread, but confidence remains low.

New York ranks 20th in defensive rushing success rate, while Kansas City wants to run the ball relentlessly. It could become the kind of game in which Kenneth Walker receives 20 carries for 175 yards, keeps the Jets’ offense off the field and forces New York into repeated three-and-outs. The Jets may have a better chance to cover than Baltimore, but that does not mean they will.