PFF grades: Bengals' top defensive performers vs. Falcons in Madrid

The Cincinnati Bengals went to Spain and came away with a 34-17 victory, led by Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase on offense. But the defense, which allowed its second-fewest yards in a game this season, deserves a ton of credit for limiting a talent-rich offense like the Atlanta Falcons'.

Early on, it looked like Bijan Robinson would cut through Cincinnati's defense like a hot knife through butter, but the Bengals settled in and held Robinson to 100 rushing yards and a touchdown, his first score in four weeks.

Here's how Pro Football Focus ranked the best defensive performers.

Dexter Lawrence

Lawrence has been stellar all year, with five sacks and 29 pressures, according to PFF. He had five pressures Sunday in Spain, tying his season high, and helped disrupt the Falcons' offense. On multiple occasions, he won battles at the line of scrimmage and forced throwaways by Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

The former New York Giants defensive tackle received an 86.9 defense grade, a 76.2 run defense grade and a 78.9 pass defense grade. He told reporters before the game that the defensive line's job was to create a wall to stop Robinson, and after Robinson's early success, the line largely did that.

Bryan Cook

Cook was criticized for his performance against the Tennessee Titans, and despite inconsistent play through his first seven games with the Bengals, he was good in Spain and helped the Bengals get the win. After an early third-down mistake, when he lined up in the neutral zone and extended a Falcons drive that ended in a field goal, Cook bounced back with some key open-field tackles.

He finished with eight tackles, according to PFF, and had a 73.0 defense grade with a 70.2 tackling grade. Cook earned a 75.2 coverage grade, helping keep Drake London and Kyle Pitts from having big games.

Myles Murphy

With Cashius Howell on injured reserve, Cedric Johnson also injured and trade chatter surrounding Shemar Stewart, Myles Murphy is suddenly in a very important role with Cincinnati in what could be his last season in a Bengals uniform.

He led Cincinnati with six pressures and now has 25 on the season. He earned only a 57.1 grade, but he teamed with Lawrence to pressure Penix, who tried to get the offense going through the air while the Falcons trailed.

The Bengals' defense has been up and down, but it played complementary football with Cincinnati's elite offense in Spain.