Falcons Fall to Bengals 34-17 in Madrid Despite Career Milestones from Penix and Robinson

 

By Yakiri Thomas | Chicks Into Sports

MADRID, SPAIN — The Atlanta Falcons’ first regular-season appearance in Madrid ended in disappointment Sunday, but several individual performances provided encouraging moments as the Dirty Birds fell 34-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

The loss dropped Atlanta to 3-6, marking its fourth defeat in five games. While the Falcons struggled to contain Cincinnati’s explosive offense, quarterback Michael Penix Jr., running back Bijan Robinson and several defensive players reached notable milestones.

Coming off a shutout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta needed an offensive response and delivered one immediately.

The Falcons opened with a seven-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, capped by Penix’s one-yard pass to tight end Charlie Woerner. The reception marked the first touchdown catch of Woerner’s NFL career and gave Atlanta an early 7-0 advantage.

Cincinnati responded when Joe Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for a 47-yard touchdown. Atlanta regained the lead on Nick Folk’s 31-yard field goal, carrying a 10-7 advantage into the second quarter.

However, Cincinnati took control before halftime.

Burrow scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak and connected with Tee Higgins for a four-yard touchdown. Evan McPherson added a 57-yard field goal, sending the Bengals into halftime leading 24-10.

Although Cincinnati controlled much of the contest, Penix demonstrated another dimension of his game.

The Falcons quarterback completed 20 of 31 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown while adding a career-high 50 rushing yards on three carries.

His 23-yard scramble in the first quarter marked the longest run of his NFL career and Atlanta’s longest run by a quarterback since the 2023 season.

According to TruMedia statistics provided by the Falcons, Penix’s three scrambles were his second-most in a single game, trailing his four against Tampa Bay in Week 1 of the 2025 season.

While Penix’s mobility helped extend plays, Robinson continued making his own mark in Atlanta’s record books.

The third-year running back finished with 147 yards from scrimmage, including 100 rushing yards and 47 receiving yards, along with one touchdown.

Robinson’s one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter trimmed Cincinnati’s lead to 24-17 and delivered another important career achievement.

The score marked his 30th career rushing touchdown, tying Falcons legends William Andrews and Warrick Dunn for sixth place in franchise history.

It was also Robinson’s 40th career touchdown from scrimmage, tying Alfred Jenkins for 10th in team history.

Even more impressive, Robinson became just the second Falcons player to reach 40 touchdowns from scrimmage within his first 60 career games, joining Gerald Riggs, who accomplished the feat in 58 games.

The accomplishment further highlights Robinson’s growing place among the franchise’s most productive offensive players.

His combination of rushing ability, receiving production and scoring continues to give Atlanta a dependable offensive weapon, even during difficult stretches.

Defensively, the Falcons also extended an impressive league streak.

Atlanta recorded at least one sack for the 26th consecutive game, maintaining the NFL’s second-longest active streak.

Defensive lineman LaCale London contributed to that accomplishment by recording his second sack of the season and seventh of his NFL career.

Safety Jessie Bates III also delivered a notable performance, leading Atlanta with a career-high 14 tackles, including 11 solo stops.

Despite those individual contributions, Cincinnati’s offense proved difficult to contain.

Burrow completed 24 of 29 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Chase finished with 10 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown, while Higgins caught five passes for 32 yards and two touchdowns.

The Bengals ultimately outgained Atlanta 388-319 and scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter.

Atlanta also hurt itself with 12 penalties for 88 yards, several of which erased productive plays or disrupted promising possessions.

The Falcons had an opportunity to reduce the deficit in the fourth quarter, but Folk missed a 38-yard field goal attempt. Cincinnati later extended its lead before Barrett Carter intercepted Penix, ending Atlanta’s remaining comeback hopes.

For head coach Kevin Stefanski, the defeat reinforced the need for more consistent execution across all three phases.

The Falcons showed they could establish the running game, extend plays with Penix’s mobility and generate defensive pressure. However, penalties and Cincinnati’s offensive efficiency prevented those contributions from producing a victory.

Atlanta will look to regroup, protect its home field and snap its two-game losing streak.

The Falcons’ international appearance may have offered a new setting, but the challenge remains the same: finding a way to turn promising moments into victories.

Up Next: The Dirty Birds return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, November 15, to face the Kansas City Chiefs. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.