The NFL flexed the Cincinnati Bengals‘ Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles out of a late-afternoon kickoff spot, yet it remains a critical game for both teams that should be pretty entertaining for fans, too.
After all, we’re about to find out much about both squads. The Eagles started the season 2-2 but have rebounded to win two straight to reach 4-2. But have Jalen Hurts and Co. only gotten things on track because they got to play the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants?
Ditto for the Bengals, who have surged back from the 0-3 start to reach 3-4, also currently riding a two-game streak. But have Joe Burrow and Co. only gotten things on track because they…also played the Giants and Browns?
For the Bengals, an offense suddenly likely to miss Tee Higgins faces a tall task after weeks of struggles. Orlando Brown Jr. will play at left tackle despite injury. But with or without him, the line struggled against the strong front sevens of New York and Cleveland, and Philadelphia is just more of the same.
It’s also worth asking whether the recent improvement in performance from the Bengals defense was a product of playing Deshaun Watson and Daniel Jones. The unit has gotten healthier, especially along the interior of the defensive line, too, but the competition was mild.
Either way, a ninth-ranked Eagles offense presents a huge challenge. Saquon Barkley paces the second-ranked rushing attack with 658 yards and five touchdowns on a 6.1 per-carry average.
Like playing the Giants, in many ways, this could feel like an AFC North game for the Bengals.
At least they’ll feel at home, right?
Like many matchups, the presence of Burrow means the Bengals carry the better quarterback into this one. And it’s safe to guess that the defense, now mostly healthy, took the time against bad offenses over the last two weeks to gel properly.
One x-factor? Trey Hendrickson should have a massive day against backup Eagles tackle Fred Johnson — the very same Fred Johnson who used to struggle for Cincinnati.
It won’t be pretty but the Bengals can pull this one out late with a few key forced turnovers.
Prediction: Bengals 27, Eagles 25
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