CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals entered the matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles feeling optimistic after winning their last two games, having a chance to level their record at 4-4 following a rocky 1-3 start to the season. However, things took a turn for the worse, resulting in a devastating 37-17 defeat at home that leaves the Bengals with a 3-5 record and plenty of issues to address moving forward.
The game remained tightly contested until the later stages of the third quarter, when the Eagles capitalized on Cincinnati’s mistakes, scoring the final 20 points of the game. The Bengals faltered on their last three possessions, with a turnover on downs, an interception thrown by quarterback Joe Burrow, and a fumble sealing their fate.
Burrow completed 26 of 37 attempts for 234 yards, including one touchdown, but he also threw a crucial interception in the fourth quarter. Reflecting on the disappointing performance, he emphasized the need for each player to accept accountability for their individual contributions. “We’ve just got to take responsibility for how we’re playing individually. You’ve just got to focus on what you can do better to help your team win. I don’t think anybody was good enough today,” Burrow stated. Despite the setback, he expressed his belief that it is still possible to turn the season around, saying, “I think 10 wins usually gets you in (to the playoffs), so we’ve got to win seven out of nine. That’s doable… Any game is winnable.”
On a positive note, the Bengals kicked off the game strong with an impressive initial drive that spanned 70 yards, taking over ten minutes off the clock. Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for a 2-yard touchdown pass, showcasing excellent execution on third downs, converting 5 of 5 during the drive. Overall, they finished 10 for 13 on third downs throughout the game.
However, the team’s lack of a strong running game continues to be a significant area of concern. The trio of Chase Brown, Zack Moss, and Burrow managed just 58 rushing yards on 20 attempts, averaging a mere 2.9 yards per carry. Burrow’s 8-yard run was the longest on the day, and the loss of standout offensive lineman Orlando Brown Jr., who exited the game with a knee injury, further complicates their ground attack.
Chase had a commendable performance, catching 9 of his 11 targets for 54 yards and a touchdown, marking at least one touchdown in five of the eight games played. Additionally, Burrow achieved a 70.3% completion rate, his highest since the narrow overtime loss to Baltimore earlier in the season.
Conversely, the Bengals’ defense struggled after showing promise in previous outings. The Eagles parade of offensive plays amounted to nearly 400 yards, featuring Jalen Hurts, who completed 16 of 20 passes for 236 yards along with a touchdown, in addition to rushing for three scores. Philadelphia’s ground game also thrived, with Saquon Barkley contributing 108 of the 161 total rushing yards. Meanwhile, Evan McPherson’s struggles continued as he missed another kick from beyond 50 yards, a significant deviation from his performance in earlier seasons.
In the injury report, the Bengals were without wide receiver Tee Higgins due to a quad issue. Orlando Brown’s status is uncertain after he left the game with a right knee injury, putting his availability for Sunday’s game in jeopardy.
The Bengals are averaging just 89.8 rushing yards per game this season, a stat that must improve if they hope to rebound. They will seek to get back on track during their upcoming home game against the struggling Las Vegas Raiders, who recently extended their losing streak to four games after a defeat by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Coach Zac Taylor acknowledged the challenges they face, stating, “We’re better than what our record indicates, but your record is what your record is. We’ve earned that. Again, we’ve put ourselves in a bad spot, but it’s not a spot that we can’t get ourselves out of.”