The Cincinnati Bengals arrived in Madrid early this week for their NFL International Series game against the Atlanta Falcons, and the team has taken full advantage of the opportunity to explore the Spanish capital. Quarterback Joe Burrow, who had requested to play in Spain after the league announced Madrid as a host city, visited the Museo del Prado on Wednesday during a team off day. "I went to Museo Del Prado on Wednesday. That was cool," Burrow said at his Friday press conference. The 27-year-old quarterback added that he enjoys the relative anonymity he experiences abroad, though he was recognized by a group of American students studying in Madrid.
Burrow also revealed his least favorite travel task: packing a suitcase. "That's my least favorite thing to do in the entire world," he said, crediting his mother and assistant Kyle Smith for handling his luggage. The Bengals will be the designated visiting team for Sunday's 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff.
Team Adjusts to Time Difference
Right tackle Amarius Mims detailed his struggle with the six-hour time change, describing a disrupted sleep schedule that included waking at 12:30 a.m. local time to watch a Philadelphia 76ers NBA game. The early arrival appears designed to help players acclimate before the game.
Higgins' First European Trip
Wide receiver Tee Higgins, who leads the Bengals with 43 catches for 726 yards this season, is making his first trip to Europe. "Once I landed out here, I was like, 'I can't believe I actually crossed the Atlantic,'" Higgins said Thursday. He called the experience surreal and noted his family is also visiting Europe for the first time.
Bengals Fans Outnumber Falcons Supporters
Social media posts from Madrid show a strong Bengals fan presence, with the team's offensive line encountering supporters during a walk through the city. The Falcons' designated home game may feel more like a road contest given the crowd disparity.
Cincinnati enters the matchup at 5-2 and riding a surge, with a win setting up an AFC North showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers next week. For now, the Bengals are focused on enjoying their time in Madrid. "This is somewhere I've always wanted to go, and so, to be able to do it while doing what I love, playing football, is really a dream come true for me," Burrow said.
