Bengals vs. Falcons in Madrid: Cincinnati's history playing overseas

The Cincinnati Bengals play overseas Sunday for the first time since 2019, taking on the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid in the second NFL game played in Spain.

The Bengals come into the game on a three-game winning streak after starting the season 2-2. They beat the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, and Tennessee Titans in the last four weeks, using different game scripts for each victory. 

However, playing outside the United States hasn't been kind to Cincinnati over the past decade. The Bengals are 0-1-1 in those games, with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 and a tie with Washington, now the Commanders, in 2016.

The 2016 game was pass-heavy. Kirk Cousins completed 38 of 56 passes for 458 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. Andy Dalton, meanwhile, completed 27 of 42 passes for 284 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Running backs Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard combined for 128 yards and two scores, and Dalton also ran for a touchdown. Mike Nugent missed a crucial extra point, and Washington committed 15 penalties for 106 yards. Both contributed to the tie in a big way.

The 2019 game wasn't as close. The Rams were coming off a Super Bowl appearance, and the Bengals went the opposite direction that season, finishing with the No. 1 overall pick, which they used on Joe Burrow.

Jared Goff completed 17 of 31 passes for 372 yards and two touchdowns. Dalton threw 52 times, completing 32 for 329 yards and one touchdown. Cooper Kupp had a big game, with seven catches for 220 yards and a touchdown.

The Bengals went just 6-for-18 on third down and turned the ball over on downs twice.

The most important thing the Bengals have to do is protect the ball. The Atlanta offense is sputtering, with Bijan Robinson going four straight games without eclipsing 100 yards and without scoring a touchdown. Drake London has just two 100-yard games and one touchdown this season, and Michael Penix Jr. is coming off a four-interception game.

Giving the Falcons extra possessions through turnovers would be a major boost to a team looking for help on offense. Burrow needs to play a much cleaner game than his three-interception performance last week against the Titans.

The Bengals and Falcons kick off at 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday, with Cincinnati having a chance to start 6-2, its best start since opening 8-0 in 2015.