MADRID -- Joe Burrow talked a big game all offseason.
He wasn't shy about the aspirations for himself or the Cincinnati Bengals, which included a potential run at a Super Bowl.
Through eight games this season, Burrow and the team are backing all of that up. On an enormous stage, playing an international game in one of the world's most iconic venues in a standalone broadcast window, Burrow and the Bengals dazzled.
He was nearly flawless in a 34-17 victory Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons in the historic Santiago Bernabeu, Cincinnati's fourth straight win. And with his performance, he is in the mix for an award that has eluded him -- Most Valuable Player.
"He should have [already] won the MVP," Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase said. "I said this when we went to the Super Bowl [to cap the 2021 season] and he didn't get it that year. I mean, he's up for it every year."
But this year, Burrow is working on his strongest case to date. According to ESPN Research, Burrow is the fifth player in NFL history to have at least 23 passing touchdowns and a 70% completion percentage or higher. In three of those instances, that quarterback won MVP (Tom Brady, 2007; Aaron Rodgers, 2011; Peyton Manning, 2013).
Burrow dominated Sunday. He was 24-of-29 passing for 271 yards and four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing). He became the fifth player in league history to have at least four passing or rushing touchdowns in four straight games. Three of those players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Brady is the other one.
But what Burrow did becomes even greater given the proper context. Sunday marked his first international game, one he has waited on for years. And he sought to match the moment.
"I wanted to come out and put on a show for everybody and show what the excitement of the NFL can be," Burrow said. "And the NFL is really all about the stars and players making big-time plays."
It wasn't just Burrow who played lights-out. Tee Higgins had only 32 receiving yards, but he scored two touchdowns. Chase turned in another huge game with 10 catches on 12 targets for 155 yards and a touchdown.
And that touchdown was notable. It was a deep ball down the right sideline, a throw Burrow had missed last week against the Tennessee Titans in a very similar situation. And not only did he miss that one, but the ball was so underthrown that safety Amani Hooker picked it off for one of his three interceptions.
That throw against the Titans prompted an extended sideline outburst from Chase. But that didn't happen Sunday as Burrow got his redemption with the 47-yard touchdown to Chase.
"I'm not hard on Joe at all," Chase said. "He knows it. Me and him always talk all the time, but he probably did really want that touchdown."
And his top receivers could feel that, too.
"We were in warmups and he was throwing that pill far," Higgins said. "[Chase] was like, 'Oh, yeah, he feels good today.'
"When we get that feeling from him, it's our job to go out there and get open for him."
The receivers did their part as Burrow's torrid year continues. As of Sunday afternoon, Burrow led the league in QBR (79.5), which he has never done before.
Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase keep making history. 🤝 Their 40-yard TD in Madrid was the 19th of their careers, tying Joe Montana and Jerry Rice for the 3rd-most by any QB-WR duo since 1980. It was also their 58th touchdown connection (including playoffs), moving them past Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss for the 2nd-most by any QB-receiver duo before turning 30. @Bengals | #WhoDey
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) November 8, 2026
And it hasn't been easy. He dealt with a minor back issue at the beginning of the season. Turnovers have been costly in certain moments, especially the team's two losses. And last week, Burrow admitted with a very long pause that he is throwing the ball well -- for the most part.
But on the international stage, he ignited the largely pro-Bengals crowd inside the home of Real Madrid, one of the biggest sports clubs in the world. The first half featured large pops of noise that swelled through the Bernabeu following big play after big play.
And the win puts the Bengals in their best position since they drafted him with the No. 1 pick in 2020. Cincinnati has a 6-2 record with a massive matchup looming at home next Sunday night against division-leading Pittsburgh (6-2), which won the first game between the teams this season.
At the midway point of the season, the Bengals have seemingly found their offensive identity.
"Joe is playing at an unbelievably high level right now," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. "It's difficult to not put the ball in his hand in every play given how everybody is playing around him as well."
And despite how good things looked against the Falcons (3-6), there is reason to believe Burrow can be even better.
Said Higgins: "I know he got another step in him for sure."