Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season kicks off with international action in Madrid, where the Cincinnati Bengals host the Atlanta Falcons. The Bengals, currently holding a 5-2 record, will look to extend their winning streak against a Falcons team sitting at 3-5. Back in the United States, the week is headlined by a quarterback battle between Drake Maye and Jordan Love, while the Oakland Raiders return to the Bay Area for a contest against the San Francisco 49ers.
In the Madrid matchup, quarterback Joe Burrow enters the game on a career year. He leads the league with 20 passing touchdowns and ranks fourth in passing yards with 2,115. Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich acknowledged Burrow's form, stating that he is playing the best football of his career. However, Atlanta possesses a potent defensive front. Defensive tackles Brandon Dorlus and Gervon Dexter Sr. rank first and second in the NFL for pressure rate, a statistical achievement not seen among teammates since 2018. Despite this pressure, the Falcons have struggled with ball security, committing 16 turnovers through eight games, the second most in the league.
The Dallas Cowboys travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts in a must-win scenario for both teams. Dallas is seeking to bounce back from a painful overtime loss at home, while Indianapolis is dealing with internal turmoil following the firing of their general manager. Cowboys defensive end Von Miller warned that the Colts are a dangerous opponent because they are fighting for their identity. The Colts have allowed 33 or more points in four of their six losses, and their quarterback Daniel Jones remains the only qualified starter without a touchdown pass of 10 or more yards this season.
In New York, the Jets host the Kansas City Chiefs, a game that features a stark contrast in recent momentum. The Jets have shown offensive life recently but remain last in the league with a 42% red zone conversion rate. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich emphasized the need for urgency in that area. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are focused on rebuilding killer instinct after allowing the Denver Broncos to score 15 points on two drives last week. Jets quarterback Geno Smith has been a standout performer on deep throws, tying for second most in the league with 16 completions on passes of 20 or more yards.
Other notable matchups include the Detroit Lions hosting the Miami Dolphins. Lions coach Dan Campbell, who began his coaching career in Miami, expects a physical and hungry performance from the Dolphins. Miami’s offensive line is a key variable, as guard Kadyn Proctor returned to practice this week while still in concussion protocol. His presence could help the Dolphins control the clock against Detroit’s league-leading offense.
In Cleveland, Shedeur Sanders is expected to make his first start of the season with Deshaun Watson sidelined in concussion protocol. Sanders has built rapport with the offensive unit during the camp competition and brings an aggressive downfield passing style that could jump-start the Browns' attack. Receiver Denzel Boston noted that Sanders' confidence boosts the entire offensive group, from the line to the skill positions.
The week concludes with Monday Night Football featuring the Buffalo Bills against the Minnesota Vikings on ESPN. Analytics from ESPN’s Football Power Index suggest the Bengals will win in Madrid by an average of 7.7 points, while the Chiefs are favored to beat the Jets by 8.6 points. The Cowboys are projected to defeat the Colts by 2.9 points, and the Lions are expected to overcome the Dolphins by 7.7 points.
Fantasy and betting analysts have also weighed in on the slate. For fantasy players, the focus is on high-volume targets like Chase Brown for the Bengals and Javonte Williams for the Cowboys, who has scored a touchdown in six of the last eight games. Betting analysts note that the Chiefs have a poor record against the spread in November, while the Bengals are favored to cover in Madrid. All odds listed for the week are provided by DraftKings.
