Oct 26, 2024
The Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals have both won two games in a row and three of their last four. Both of their opponents the last two weeks? The New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, who are a combined 3-11. When the Eagles (4-2) visit the Bengals (3-4) at Paycor Stadium (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS, 94.1-WIP FM) — a game flexed back from 4:25 p.m. — it could change the course of each team’s season. A Bengals victory would land them right back in the hunt in the top-heavy AFC North, behind Baltimore and Pittsburgh. A Birds win would put them neck-and-neck with Washington for the NFC East lead, with the sub-.500 Jacksonville Jaguars coming to Philly next week. But, believe it or not, the Eagles have never won in Cincinnati, where they’re 0-4-1. “I did not even know that,” said Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, who wasn’t around for those previous games. “I try not to get too wrapped up into that stuff because what does that have to do with me, really? I’ve never been on this team where I’ve been there. “It’s productive for us to go, ‘Okay, hey, we’re playing in a hostile environment, so we’ve got to do the things we need to do to prepare for a hostile environment,’” he said. The matchup will feature two of the league’s top wide receivers in the Eagles’ A.J. Brown and Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase, who has been quarterback Joe Burrow’s favorite target since college at LSU. Chase the leads the NFL with 621 receiving yards to go with six touchdowns in seven games. Brown, who has played three games, because of an injury and an early bye, has 324 yards and three TDs. “We’re kind of like the same size, I might be a little bigger,” Brown said with a wry smile. “He may be a little faster. … I mean, Ja’Marr is incredible. He’s definitely one of the top receivers in the game right now. Some of the stuff he does, I think only he can do. I’m definitely going to be watching to see if I can learn something from him.” Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, who goes against Brown in practice every day, certainly knows plenty about Chase also. “They’re top two,” Slay said. “Of course, we’ve got the best one here. (Chase) is for sure up there as well. No one can go wrong with either one as 1A, 1B. “They have different body types,” Slay said. “(Chase) can jump over the world. I saw his basketball highlights the other day, going across Twitter. He got D-1 basketball scholarships as well. These guys are really talented.” In a late Friday surprise, the Bengals announced that their other star receiver, Tee Higgins, was limited in practice with a quad issue and is questionable for Sunday. Still, even if Higgins doesn’t play, the Burrow-Chase tandem alone will be a challenge. “It’s going to be a great matchup, just because you know who they are,” Slay said. “From a quarterback standpoint to a receiver standpoint, they are one of the best duos in this league.” Higgins, who has missed time with injuries throughout his career, including two games to start the season, has 29 catches for 341 yards and three TDs this year. If he sits against the Birds, Andrei Iosivas would likely slide into his spot. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see how much the Eagles’ offense stays with the run after huge success on the ground against the Giants. In addition to finding Brown, they certainly want to feed receiver DeVonta Smith, who was only targeted twice last week. The Cincinnati ‘D’ has had trouble pressuring the passer most of the season, hovering around the bottom third of the league. It may give Jalen Hurts time to attack Cincinnati’s secondary, which hasn’t been completely healthy. However, backup left tackle Fred Johnson may need help against Cincinnati defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who has seven sacks. Hendrickson hasn’t received much help, considering the team only has eight sacks. *** The Eagles’ pass rush, with added blitzes from defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, has delivered 13 sacks over the past two weeks. The Bengals’ offensive line, when healthy, has improved over recent years. But star left tackle Orlando Brown, who is nursing a knee/calf injury, will be playing banged-up. The Birds may have an opportunity to get to Burrow. *** In other injury news, Cincinnati is without starting cornerback Dax Hill, who is on injured reserve. Safety Geno Stone (lower leg) is expected to play, despite being limited during the week. Right guard Mekhi Becton (concussion), tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring) and left tackle Jordan Mailata (hamstring) are all out for the Eagles. Defensive tackle Byron Young (hamstring) joined Mailata on IR. Cornerback Eli Ricks (groin) was a full participant in Friday’s practice. *** NOTES: Overall, the Bengals are 9-3-2 against the Eagles. … The Bengals will be wearing their all-white uniforms, in which they are 4-0 all-time. … The last time the Eagles didn’t allow a touchdown in back-to-back games was Weeks 11-12 of 2017. … The CBS broadcasting team will be Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn. —— Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.
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