Cincinnati Bengals vs Philadelphia Eagles Picks and Predictions October 27th 2024

Saquon Barkley, Eagles Carry Momentum into Matchup with Bengals

Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles bring their recent success into Cincinnati on Sunday, where they’ll face the Bengals in a highly anticipated clash between two teams on the rise. With Barkley anchoring a resurgent offense and the Eagles’ defense playing at a near-historic level, this matchup holds the promise of a competitive and physical showdown.

Barkley Leading the Charge for the Eagles

Saquon Barkley was electric in his return to New Jersey last weekend, rushing for 176 yards and a touchdown against his former team, the New York Giants. Barkley’s standout performance earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, underscoring his significant role in Philadelphia’s game plan. Through six games, Barkley has accumulated 658 rushing yards, placing him third in the league behind only Derrick Henry and Jordan Mason.

Barkley has been consistent this season, with three games over the 100-yard mark and an impressive average of 109.7 rushing yards per game. His success on the ground has been essential for Philadelphia’s 4-2 start and has set a new franchise record for rushing yards in the first six games.

“Body feels great, ready to go,” Barkley said. “In this league, you don’t hold onto games. I’m extremely critical of myself and I analyze myself as hard as anyone, and when it’s over and you review the game, you have to move on. We’ve got Cincinnati next, and that’s going to be a physical game against a very good defense.”

Cincinnati’s Defense: Ready for a Physical Battle

The Bengals have made significant strides on defense recently, allowing only 21 points across their last two games, both road wins over the Giants and Browns. Cincinnati’s defense has benefitted from the return of their key linemen, bolstering their ability to contain strong running backs like Henry and Nick Chubb. Against the Eagles, however, their primary focus will be on stopping the elusive and powerful Barkley.

“He’s very, very elusive and still strong when he runs, too, which is why he’s a great back,” Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai noted. “He’s not just a shifty back who relies mainly on elusiveness. He can also stick his foot in the ground, run through you and be elusive.”

The Bengals’ strategy will involve a full-team effort to contain Barkley, aiming to bring “11 hats on the ball” to prevent him from gaining traction and hitting vertical strides.

Philadelphia’s Defensive Dominance

The Eagles’ defense has been a crucial element of their success, and they have achieved back-to-back games without allowing an offensive touchdown — a feat they last accomplished in 2017. With a defensive front that has racked up at least five sacks while holding opponents to 250 or fewer yards and no touchdowns in consecutive games, Philadelphia is in elite company. This level of defensive performance has only been matched by a handful of teams since 2000, including the 2019 Patriots and the 2014 Rams.

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Philadelphia will look to keep this momentum going against a Bengals team that has struggled offensively, as evidenced by their reliance on special teams to open the scoring in last week’s win against Cleveland.

Special Teams Advantage for the Bengals

Cincinnati’s special teams provided a game-defining moment last week with a 100-yard kickoff return by Charlie Jones, earning him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. The play not only opened the scoring but also helped the Bengals maintain a lead despite an offensively quiet first half.

“I thought that was a critical play in the game,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “We didn’t score in the first half on offense, so to have the 7-6 lead because of a big special teams play allowed us just to hang in and finally find our groove in the third quarter.”

Jones’ performance highlights the Bengals’ need for all phases of their team to step up, especially with challenges on the offensive side. Quarterback Joe Burrow praised the team’s ability to find ways to win, signaling optimism for the remaining season.

“Great teams find ways to win. I think we have a chance to be a great team,” Burrow said. “We’re not that yet, but there’s a lot of season left to play.”

Injury Updates and Final Preparations

The Bengals hope to have safety Geno Stone and starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. available for Sunday’s game. Both sustained injuries in the win over Cleveland and could be crucial in protecting Burrow and strengthening the defensive secondary against Philadelphia’s potent attack.

For the Eagles, Sunday’s matchup presents an opportunity to secure a third straight win and improve their record in the highly competitive NFC. However, Cincinnati has history on its side: the Bengals have never lost to Philadelphia at home, holding a 4-0-1 record against the Eagles in Cincinnati. With both teams riding recent momentum, this game is shaping up to be a closely contested battle with significant implications for both squads.