NFL WEEK 8 SCORE PREDICTION EAGLES AT BENGALS

Wed, Oct 23, 2024
by SetTheNarrative.cappertek.com

4 PM Sunday: Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (3-4)

Vegas Line: Bengals -3 | O/U 48
Predicted Score: PHI 26 - 18 CIN

The Week 8 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals presents a crucial moment for both teams as they attempt to maintain momentum coming off victories in Week 7. The Eagles dominated the New York Giants with a 28-3 victory, while the Bengals narrowly edged out the Cleveland Browns 21-14 in a game that saw multiple quarterback injuries for the Browns.

Team Performance Overview:

Eagles Offense vs. Bengals Defense: Philadelphia’s offense has been strong, scoring 30 points against defenses of similar caliber to Cincinnati’s. The Eagles will likely look to exploit the Bengals’ defense, which has been giving up an average of 32 points against similar offenses. With Jalen Hurts at the helm, this will be a significant test for the Eagles QB, as his ability to lead the offense efficiently will determine whether Philadelphia can build on their Week 7 success. The Eagles should have the offensive firepower to put up points, especially with their balanced attack.
Bengals Offense vs. Eagles Defense: Joe Burrow, the better quarterback according to most analysts and data, will need to step up in this game. Cincinnati has averaged 25 points against defenses of similar strength to Philadelphia’s, which allows an average of 26 points. Burrow will likely rely heavily on the Bengals' running game, aiming to feed his star RB at least 22 carries to control the tempo and keep Philadelphia’s offense off the field. Cincinnati’s narrow win over a Cleveland team with quarterback injuries (Deshaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Jameis Winston) raised concerns about the Bengals' overall offensive efficiency. They’ll need a more cohesive effort to compete with the Eagles.

Quarterback Comparison:

Joe Burrow (Bengals): Burrow is undoubtedly the better quarterback in this matchup, known for his poise and accuracy. He’ll be critical in keeping the Bengals’ offense on track and converting on third downs. However, the Bengals' inability to fully capitalize on Cleveland's QB carousel in Week 7 puts some doubt on their offensive consistency.
Jalen Hurts (Eagles): Hurts has a chance to prove himself here, facing a vulnerable Bengals defense. The question is whether Hurts can continue his solid play and execute under pressure, especially with the Bengals' defensive strategy likely focusing on containing him. This game is a test for Hurts' development as a starting QB—can he rise to the challenge against Burrow?

Coaching Matchup:

Nick Sirianni (Eagles Head Coach): Sirianni is in his third season with the Eagles. After leading Philadelphia to a Super Bowl appearance last season, he’s working to maintain the Eagles' contender status in 2024. Sirianni’s offensive system relies on a strong running game, which helps Jalen Hurts by opening up passing lanes. His focus will be on attacking Cincinnati’s defense, which has been shaky, especially in giving up points to opponents.
Zac Taylor (Bengals Head Coach): Taylor, entering his fifth season with Cincinnati, is also under pressure to keep the Bengals competitive. After their Super Bowl run two seasons ago, expectations are high for the team, but their uneven 3-4 record reflects inconsistency. Taylor’s ability to game-plan against the Eagles’ defense will be key, as he needs to find ways to exploit any weaknesses and support Burrow with a balanced attack.

Game Analysis:
Despite being 3-point underdogs according to Vegas, the Eagles seem to be in a better position to win based on their offensive firepower and the Bengals' defensive struggles. Philadelphia allows 26 points on defense but scores 30 against similar teams, giving them the edge against a Bengals defense that has allowed an average of 32 points. Cincinnati’s offense will have to be more effective than it was in Week 7 to keep pace.

Run Game: Both teams will likely lean on their running backs to control the game. The Bengals are expected to give their lead RB 22 or more carries to slow down the pace and keep Burrow from having to throw 40+ times. Meanwhile, the Eagles will use Saquan Barkley in the passing game and limit his carries to 16 or less, relying on their balanced offense to keep Cincinnati’s defense off balance.

Final Prediction:
The Eagles' offense, with Jalen Hurts continuing his development, should be able to outscore Cincinnati in this one. Despite Joe Burrow’s talent and leadership, the Bengals’ defensive struggles will allow Philadelphia to edge them out in a relatively low-scoring game compared to the Vegas O/U line. The Eagles should emerge victorious, 26-18, pushing their record to 5-2.