Cincinnati Bengals (3-5) – Philadelphia Eagles (5-2): 17-37
In a match between two teams looking for confidence, it is the Eagles and Jalen Hurts (16/20, 236 yards, 37 yards rushing, 4 TDs) who come away with the victory. The quarterback was radiant, and finally seems to have absorbed the new offensive system. After a balanced half, it was in the second act that Philadelphia took off.
The entire offensive squad can have a smile, while the Bengals defense showed nothing as too often. Joe Burrow gradually disappeared (26/37, 234 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), not helped by an absent running game and the absence of Tee Higgins who weighed down the aerial game. The Eagles had a third good defensive match in a row, in the wake of a radiant Cooper Dejean for only his third start.
Philadelphia can dream more than ever of winning the NFC East, while Cincinnati has its back against the wall.
A contested first act
The match starts ideally for the Bengals. After 17 plays, 70 yards and 11 minutes, Joe Burrow found Ja'Marr Chase (54 yards) for the touchdown. Decisive on third attempt, the former LSU quarterback is in control.
However, the Eagles are not giving up. After an exchange of field goals, Jalen Hurts goes up the field with the help of Saquon Barkley (111 yards), before finishing on the ground. The two teams are back to back (10-10).
The scenario repeats itself after the return from the locker room, with a touchdown on the ground from Jalen Hurts to which Chase Brown responds, also on the ground (17-17). These are the last points of the game for the Bengals.
The Jalen Hurts Festival
While the suspense is breathtaking, Jalen Hurts this time uses his arm to find Devonta Smith (85 yards, 1 TD) for the touchdown (24-17). All targets participate in the attack, from AJ Brown (84 yards) to Grant Calcaterra (58 yards).
Cincinnati tries to come back by being aggressive, but Cooper Dejean stops Ja'Marr Chase on 4th attempt, while CJ Gardner-Johnson intercepts Joe Burrow. The “momentum” has changed, and Philadelphia hammers on the ground in a style very close to that of 2022. Jalen Hurts concludes on the ground, again, to give the Eagles an insurmountable lead (34-17). A Mike Gesicki fumble and a field goal later, Philadelphia completed a 20-0 run to end this game triumphantly.
