Bengals Players Explore Madrid Before Sunday's Falcons Clash

The Cincinnati Bengals arrived in Madrid days before their scheduled game to combat jet lag.

Coach Zac Taylor gave the team a full day of rest on Wednesday. This pause allowed players to adjust to the six-hour time difference before facing the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Quarterback Joe Burrow spent his time exploring the city's cultural sites. He visited the Museo del Prado, a choice he later called cool during a press conference. Burrow said he had waited for this trip since the NFL announced the schedule in May. He admitted that packing for the journey was his least favorite task, so he let his mother and assistant Kyle Smith handle his suitcase. This arrangement ensured he had the right fit for the game without the usual stress.

Wide receiver Tee Higgins is visiting Europe for the first time. He described the experience as surreal, noting that bringing his family to the continent added to the trip's meaning. Higgins is currently leading the Bengals with 43 catches for 726 yards. His season average of over 100 receiving yards per game ties him with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the top mark in the league.

Fellow receiver Ja'Marr Chase joked about the local food, saying he missed his personal chef but has adjusted. He said working with Higgins makes both players better. Right tackle Amarius Mims spent his off day walking with the offensive line. He visited the Real Casa de Correos and bumped into a Bengals fan while struggling with his sleep schedule. Mims woke up in the middle of the night to watch a Philadelphia 76ers game before finally rising at 7:30 a.m. local time.

The Bengals are listed as the visiting team for the 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff on Sunday. A win would set up a critical AFC North showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10, with first place on the line. The team holds a 5-2 record entering the game. Burrow called the trip a dream come true, and the squad plans to finalize its preparation to cap off the international experience.