Bengals Takeaways: This One Hurts
Credit: Sam Greene via Imagn Images
The Bengals suffered their worst loss of the season, as they dropped the Sunday afternoon affair with the Philadelphia Eagles by a final score of 37-17. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley were the stories of the afternoon for Philadelphia, as the QB scored three rushing touchdowns for the third time in his career, and Barkley topped the century mark in rushing yards for the second week in a row. Cincy’s offense started off playing efficiently, as their opening touchdown drive took over ten minutes off the clock, but the Eagles took control of the game from that point on.
What are our top takeaways from the game?
Zero Answers For Dual Threats
Hurts put on a clinic with both his arms and legs, showing that he’s the best dual-threat quarterback outside of Lamar Jackson.
Jalen Hurts today:
– 16/20
– 273 total yads
– 4 TDs
– 132.5 passer rating
– 0 turnoversHurts completed 12 straight passes to end the game. He was phenomenal. pic.twitter.com/cnfXAkBNZJ
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) October 27, 2024
Hurts was his best self at Paycor Stadium, and the Bengals allowed the Eagles to score on all but one of their offensive drives. It was a major reason why the Bengals suffered their largest defeat of the season.
Over the last two weeks, the Bengals had the benefit of playing two stagnant offenses in the Giants and the Deshaun Watson-led Browns, and the defense got to look good as a result. Once a much stronger Eagles offense touched ground, they had no answer for it.
Cincy has struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks all season, as Jayden Daniels and Jackson both put up spectacular performances against the Lou Anarumo-led defense. That trend continued with Hurts, who scored four total touchdowns and was not sacked once. While the Bengals get the benefit of playing the Las Vegas Raiders next Sunday, they will have to face the Ravens again that following Thursday. Another encounter with Jackson and Derrick Henry on a short week will likely be a serious challenge for the defense.
Sunday’s matchup was the third time this season that the Bengals gave up at least 37 points in a game. You don’t have to think hard to figure out which quarterbacks started those games.
Cincy’s Desperation Levels Are At A Season-High
Momentum was on the Bengals’ side early, as Cincy was able to muster up a drive that took up 10:04. It was a big reason why Philly failed to score in the first quarter yet again. However, the Eagles soon took over the game, dropping 37 points in the final three quarters.
With the game tied at 17 in the third quarter, Hurts launched a pristine moonball that DeVonta Smith brought down for a game-changing touchdown.
HURTS LAUNCHES DEEP TO DEVONTA SMITH.
46-YARD TOUCHDOWN.
📺: #PHIvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/u4yjFvgeOi— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
After that point, the Bengals were in desperation mode, and it deeply showed. Not counting the glorified kneel-down drive in the final 1:55, Joe Burrow had three offensive drives following Smith’s touchdown. Those drives ended in a turnover on downs, an interception to CJ Gardner-Johnson, and a fumble by Mike Gesicki (and that doesn’t even include Evan McPherson’s missed field goal in the first half). Those failed opportunities squandered a performance in which the team only allowed one sack, didn’t punt once, and only committed a single penalty.
With the Bengals unable to capitalize on their offensive drives, the Eagles’ lethal rushing attack was able to take over the game. The Bengals, who came into Week 8 having given up the second-most rushing first downs in the NFL (65), added 13 to that total this afternoon.
Despite the Bengals’ ten minute opening drive, the Eagles’ rushing ability led them to win the time of possession battle over the Bengals in the game (31:48 to 28:12).
Tee Higgins Was Missed… Again…
Against a team like the Eagles, it’s best to be fully stocked at all facets of your game. The Bengals confirmed shortly before the game that they would be without their WR2, Tee Higgins.
While other pass catchers stepped up in Higgins’ absence, his presence was still sorely missed. Higgins has been an integral part of the Bengals’ offense throughout the 2020s, and his recent play has been strong, as he has totaled no fewer than 60 receiving yards in a game over the last four weeks. Tee being on the field not only gives the Bengals an extra weapon, but it allows both Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase to be their best selves. Higgins has been strong when healthy, but injuries have forced him to miss three games so far in 2024, all of which resulted in Bengals losses.
Credit to secondary pass-catchers who tried to fill the void; particularly Mike Gesicki, who led the team with 73 receiving yards. But there’s simply no replacing Higgins, whose absence left Cincy unable to maintain offensive consistency through all four quarters, especially once Philly started picking up steam.
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