By Patrick Del Gaone, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
Per VegasInsider, the Bengals are now favored by 1.5 points after opening as underdogs in their matchup against Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon. Something will have to give at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, the Bengals have won just one of their last seven games, while the Eagles haven’t won a road contest since September 19th.
Both coaches have released their injury reports prior to this weekend’s tilt. With a better idea of which players will be suiting up, let’s hone in on the matchup.
Eagles' Offense vs. Bengals' Defense
Doug Pederson’s play-calling continues to be under scrutiny after the first-year head coach dialed up 44 passes compared to just 14 runs in Monday night’s decisive loss to Green Bay. This pass-heavy tendency is a trait that Pederson’s mentor, former Eagles’ coach Andy Reid, received similar criticism for during his 14-year tenure in Philadelphia.
Look for Reid’s disciple to silence his critics against a weak run defense in Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon. The Bengals’ defense ranks 28th in the NFL with 121 rushing yards per game allowed. When the Eagles are at their best, they maintain possession of the ball for over 30 minutes per game with a near 50-50 pass-run ratio. Unfortunately for Philly, starting tailback Ryan Mathews is not expected to play for the second consecutive game, meaning veteran Darren Sproles and rookie Wendell Smallwood will be asked to carry the brunt of the load. Against Green Bay, the duo combined for just 43 yards on 12 attempts.
Marvin Lewis’ defense is predicated on multiple zone coverage concepts, but they’re primarily a ‘Cover Two’ team with two high safeties splitting the deep-halves. Rangy cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick has blossomed into one of the Bengals’ most reliable defensive players, collecting three interceptions in 2016, while crafty 10th-year veteran Adam Jones is still among the more reliable cornerbacks in the NFL.
Linebacker Vontaze Burfict leads Cincinnati in tackles (76) despite missing the first three games of the season. Disrupting Cincy’s tenacious tackler at the second-level will be key for the Eagles’ hog-mollies, who haven’t created a tremendous amount of room for the team’s tailbacks in recent weeks.
On the defensive line, Cincinnati possesses two of the NFL’s most skilled pass rushers at their respective positions. Defensive tackle Geno Atkins uses Warren Sapp-like quickness to navigate his way around less athletic guards and centers, while Carlos Dunlap uses his outstanding reach to fend off opposing right tackles. Dunlap’s matchup against Allen Barbre should be a clash reminiscent of former Eagle Jon Runyan’s battles against Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan.
Bengals’ Offense vs. Eagles’ Defense
Titanic talent A.J. Green (hamstring) is highly unlikely to play in Sunday’s game at Paul Brown Stadium, therefore, Tyler Eifert, Tyler Boyd and Brandon LaFell are expected to be heavily relied upon by quarterback Andy Dalton.
The Bengals’ offense continues to regress without the services of their top playmaker. Although Dalton eclipsed 3,000 yards passing on the season, he has just 12 touchdown passes through 11 games. Opponents are having quite a bit of success getting to the former TCU Horned Frog, as Cincinnati’s yielded 32 sacks (4th most in NFL). Given the issues along the line of scrimmage, look for Dalton to throw quick passes, including plenty of slants, replicating the strategy which Aaron Rodgers used so successfully to neutralize Fletcher Cox and the Eagles’ defensive line.
The key cog in Cincinnati’s offense is now powerful running back Jeremy Hill. Hill’s netted 644 yards at a clip of 4.4 yards per carry and six rushing touchdowns, while also proving capable enough to earn reps on passing downs, accruing 123 receiving yards with an average of over 8 yards per catch. The former LSU Tiger has the agility and alacrity to devastate Philly’s defense if Cincinnati gets him lathered up.
Last week, the 6’2”, 238 lb. halfback averaged under two yards in his 12 carries, but churned out 61 yards on six receptions against Baltimore. Stopping the bulky back will be the key for Philly’s defense. If Hill gets rolling downhill early, look for the Bengals to have tremendous success against Schwartz’s unit.
Matchup to watch: Carlos Dunlap vs. Allen Barbre
Player of the Game: Jeremy Hill
Prediction: Bengals win 21-16
