Eagles v Bengals Preview

Simply put, if the Eagles have any hope or prayer of making a success out of this season, it has to start tommorw. The Eagles have an up hill battle as it is to make the playoffs, so these are the type of games that must go down in the win column. 

Why The Eagles Will Win:

1) There the Bengals Again: After a few years of being a playoff team, an offensive force, and a team that was no longer an automatic win, the Bengals are back. A combination of injuries and bad play have led the Bengals to a  1-8 record. In almost every statistical category on offense, they are in the bottom 3 of the league. After facing a great running team last week in the Giants, the Eagles defense should excel this week agaisnt a Bengals team that averages only 86 rushing yards a game. The misery dosn't end there. They average only 13 points a game, 151 passing yards, and are last in total yards a game. 

2) Ryan Fitzpatrick: When the Bengals offense take the field on Sunday, Carson Palmer will not be under center for them. That is good news for the Eagles, who should feast on backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. In his 5 games played since Palmer got hurt, Fitzpatrick only have 4 touchdowns. His longest pass has been for only 22 yards. He has never thrown for over 200 yards in a game, and has 6 interceptions. Him being at quarterback negates the two pro bowl wide receivers that the Bengals have in Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmanzada. Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown and Lito Shepppard should have a field day with this guy under center.

3) Just Loss: The Eagles are coming off a huge loss to the Giants, and will be ready to get back in the win column. There season is still very much alive, but a loss here would probaly be the end of any playoff hopes. Simply put, the Eagles are the better team, need it more, and the pressure is on them to win. If they don't, there is no need to be excited about the rest of the season.

Why The Eagles Will Lose: 

1) Bengals Defense: Nothing on the Bengals is good. You don't get to be 1-8 by excelling in something. But if you had to pick a strength, it would be the defense. And the best part of the defense is the secondary. They are 10th in the league in passing yards allowed. That could be a jaded statistic, as most teams have been up on the Bengals and run the ball. But still, the strength of the Eagles offense is the running game, and if somehow the Bengals an hold the Eagles to 151 yards passing (what they average allowed), then this game could be a lot harder.

2) Close Loses: While they are 1-8, and Bengals have played teams close. They brought the Giants to overtime in New York, and almost beat the Cowboys in Dallas. Granted, that was with Carson Palmer at quarterback, but it still shows that this team might be better then its record shows. The Bengals are also coming off a Bye Week, and won their last game played against a good Jacksonville Jaguars team. 

3) Nothing to Lose: At 1-8, the Bengals season is over. Their head coach, Marvin Lewis, probaly won't be back next year. They have nothing to lose, and no pressure is on them. Also, coming off of  a win, their confidence could be coming back. If there was one week to not want to play the Bengals, this is it. 

Prediction: Despite that fact that Bengals did just win a game, and are coming off a bye, I don't see Ryan Fitzpatrick beating the Eagles. Hopefully, the Eagles put this one away early, play hard, and don't look ahead till next week. 

Pick: Eagles 28 Bengals 13