Bengals Keys vs. Eagles: Exploit Philly’s Slow Starts
Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
After coming out on top against two below-average offenses, the Cincinnati Bengals are getting a much tougher test on Sunday in the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have returned to full strength after extended absences from pass catchers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. They are also currently riding a two-game winning streak after beating the same two opponents that the Bengals have beaten over the last two weeks (New York Giants, Cleveland Browns), but in reverse order.
How can the Bengals be the one to come out on top and win their first home game of the year?
Prevent 3rd/4th-and-short situations
Let’s just get this out of the way real quick: the Bengals have a microscopic chance at stopping the Tush Push. They could put all 11 players in the box, get all of the cheerleaders to distract Jalen Hurts “The Replacements”-style, hand a ref a crisp $20 bill to call a last-second false start penalty, or even reaching out to that one dude who stood in front of that tank at the Tiananmen Square protest. Jalen Hurts will still get pushed over the line with ease.
The Eagles’ famed play, which they refer to as the Brotherly Shove, had a 37-for-40 success rate in 2023. The Bengals struggle at stopping teams on third and fourth down as it is, ranking ninth-worst in the NFL in opposing third-down percentage (44.2%) and sixth-worst in opponents’ fourth-down conversion percentage (68.8%). The most effective way to stop the Tush Push isn’t to try to stop it when it happens, but rather to not allow the Eagles from getting there in the first place.
Preventing the Eagles from getting into these situations will go a long way to avoid long drives where they can wear down the Bengals’ defense.
Take Advantage Of Philly’s Slow Starts
Even with Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert on their roster, the Eagles have the worst first-quarter offense in the NFL.
The Eagles have not scored in the first quarter this season. pic.twitter.com/8jmaCNdQMw
— StatMuse Football (@statmusefb) October 20, 2024
They are the only team in the NFL who has “accomplished” this feat. Mind you, the Carolina Panthers exist.
Jumping out to an early lead will be crucial because doing so should stop the Eagles’ rushing attack from dominating the clock. The Bengals, who have allowed the second-most rushing first downs in the NFL, will have a tough time defending Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley if the game script allows Philadelphia’s ground game to take control.
One of Philly’s strengths is their ability to get big plays in the passing game. Brown and Smith, who are one of the better wide receiver duos in the league, are both more than capable of catching deep passes from Hurts. The Eagles have six passing plays of 40-plus yards, which trails only the Indianapolis Colts, who have seven. If Philadelphia breaks off one or two of those plays early to get a lead of their own, the Bengals will see a steady diet of Barkley for the remainder of the game.
Zac Taylor, on the other hand, is looking to keep the team ahead, or even close, which will allow the crowd to give the Bengals a big home field advantage.
“I expect the joint to be jumping,” Taylor said. “We rely so much on our fans. The energy when the players get introduced and come out of the gate, it never fails. We’ve got to do a better job of taking control of the game and giving them something to cheer for from start to finish. We’re relying on them.”
Don’t Just Win the Turnover Battle. Dominate.
One of the few areas that the Eagles have struggled in this year is in the area of turnovers, as they are currently tied for the third-worst turnover margin at minus-six. In 2024, they have only intercepted two passes, which they have returned for a combined one yard. They are also one of two teams in the NFL who have not recovered a fumble on defense (the other team, the Las Vegas Raiders, play the Bengals next week).
However, when the Eagles win that battle, they are very difficult to beat.
#Eagles Nick Sirianni on the importance of winning the turnover battle:
“In the past 3 years, we are 20-1 when we win the turnover battle” pic.twitter.com/MEyDtrjBvK
— The Swoop Scoops (@TheSwoopScoops) August 17, 2024
In both of Philly’s losses in 2024 (Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4), they lost the turnover battle. Jalen Hurts threw an interception in Week 2 and the team lost two fumbles in Week 4, and Philly’s defense didn’t force a single turnover in either game.
Over the last few seasons, Cincinnati has been one of the better teams in terms of turnover margin in the NFL. However, the Bengals are winless (0-3) when committing two or more turnovers since the 2023 season, which is tied for the worst record in the league.
Joe Burrow has been one of the NFL’s most efficient quarterbacks, as he has only thrown two interceptions so far this season. Winning the turnover battle, which the margins of both teams show that the Bengals are more than capable of doing, should seal a victory on Sunday.
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