Madrid set for 'best in the world' as NFL returns to Spain — SkimNews
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- Joe Burrow enters Sunday's game at the Santiago Bernabeu as an MVP frontrunner, leading the NFL in completion percentage (73%), passing yards (2,115), touchdowns (20 to six interceptions) and yards per game (302.1) for his 5-2 Bengals.
- Zac Taylor called Burrow "arguably the best passer in the world right now," crediting his consistency, footwork, placement and reading receivers' body language, and said Cincinnati is "hoping to get that going again" in Madrid.
- Tee Higgins ranks second in the NFL with 726 receiving yards, while Ja'Marr Chase has 492 on an identical 61 targets; together they spearhead football's top passing attack, with Taylor calling the pairing "pretty luxurious for us."
- Dexter Lawrence, acquired in the offseason from the New York Giants, fronts Cincinnati's attempt to address a defense that has hindered the team's Championship credentials; Taylor says he can defend both the run and the pass.
- Bijan Robinson leads the NFL with 780 rushing yards but is without a 100-yard game in Atlanta's last four matchups; Taylor called him "arguably the best one in the league" and flagged the play action, naked bootlegs and screens built around him for Kevin Stefanski's offense.
- Joe Burrow said playing in Madrid is "a dream come true," revealing this is Year 7 for him and his first time overseas; he visited the Museo del Prado on Wednesday before Sunday's game.
Why it matters: Cincinnati's top-ranked passing attack — 2,115 Burrow yards and 20 touchdowns — meets the NFL's leading rusher in Bijan Robinson's 780 yards, with the Bengals leaning on offseason trade Dexter Lawrence to answer. For a franchise whose defense has hindered its Championship credentials, containing that ground game is the concrete test in Madrid.
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