MADRID -- The way Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson framed it, Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Madrid's historic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium could be a catalyst for an Atlanta team trying to reshape its season.
Facing a star-studded Bengals squad featuring quarterback Joe Burrow, one that is vying for its fourth straight win, Robinson said the contest could reshape the Falcons' season.
"I think every game is a statement game, but for us, this game right here is something that can be a culture changer in the building," Robinson said. "And for us, we know what this game means and what it's going to mean at the end of the season."
Atlanta (3-5) is trying to find some in-season momentum following last week's shoutout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robinson said the matchup against Cincinnati (5-2) will be a "playoff-type game" for the Falcons and an opportunity to see what kind of team Atlanta will be become this season.
"This would be up for us to come together and even closer at the team and just see who we are," Robinson said. "And yeah, this is a great team that we're playing up against. But for us, we got to come in here with the mindset of we have to get the job done and we'll see what the rest happens later on."
And the game could be big for Robinson personally, too. He hasn't scored a touchdown since a 59-yard run against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 5. He's still fifth in average scrimmage yards per game (122.9). However, he acknowledged how he hasn't played up to his capability when asked about his standing as one of the best running backs in the league.
"I'll be honest, I don't feel like I'm playing like that right now," Robinson said. "I got to be better. I got to be better for this team. I got to be better for the offense."
Sunday will also be a chance for Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to shake off his four-interception outing he had last weekend against Tampa Bay. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at Real Madrid's practice facility, Penix spoke about bouncing back from bad performances.
"I want to be great," Penix said. "I want to win football games for this team. And whenever you have a game like last week, you kind of point the finger at yourself at it. And for me, I never want it to be on me for some of the things that happened."
The Falcons have lost three of their last four games. Under first-year coach Kevin Stefanski, Atlanta is looking to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Stefanski is familiar as anyone with the Bengals. He previously spent the last six seasons with the Cleveland Browns and finished his tenure with a 7-5 record in the AFC North rivalry game, including a Week 18 win last year that preceded his dismissal.
"It's just a different deal when you go up against Joe Burrow and this offense and what they're capable of doing and how they play," Stefanski said. "It's definitely one that you have to be prepared for, and that's why we're working so hard.
"What we love about the NFL is the week-to-week challenge. You have to pour everything you have into a given week."