#2. Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-7-1)

Philadelphia put up 29 or more points in its first three games of the year.

Dalton threw for 332 yards as the Bengals won for the first time since October 23. The rookie gained 37 yards on those carries and now is the team’s third leading rusher with 290 yards on 66 rushes (4.4 yards per carry). When the Eagles got the ball for the first time in the second half they were already down 26-0.

With a almost insurmountable lead, Marvin Lewis and the Bengals’ coaching staff thought it would be a good idea to throw to their backup offensive tackle, who promptly fumbled. “Had a great week of preparation and get to enjoy the fruits of their work”.

KEYS TO THE GAME: Philadelphia (5-6) has dropped six of its last eight games since a strong start and is desperate for a victory to remain a viable contender in the NFC wild-card race.

The Eagles host Washington, the first of three home games against their division opponents down the stretch. Doug Pederson has to get a hold of his team and restore some semblance of pride as they wind this one down. “It’s a collective effort in all three phases”. Wentz then became the first rookie in league history to throw at least one touchdown pass without an interception in each of his first three games. The final four games are also going to be against teams that now have a winning record, with three of them still fighting for a wildcard spot (Redskins, Ravens, Giants). He was 8-of-18 for 67 yards at halftime. He threw the ball a ridiculous 60 times in the loss.

“I don’t think it’s the mechanics”. But for some reason, opposing teams have been able to carve up the Bengals defense on the first drive and score touchdowns to give their team an immediate advantage.

“We’re not that team that can go out there and make mistakes and still get away with it”, defensive end Brandon Graham said. Remember former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb saying he didn’t know what the overtime rules were? They also had a missed 51-yard field goal attempt by Caleb Sturgis.

The Bengals’ turnover differential on the year (14 takeaways, 13 turnovers), tied for 17th in the NFL. “I wanted to get into the end zone so bad”, Core said. Only Agholor could perform this play on his first target.

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Last time Eagles visited Paul Brown Stadium was November 16, 2008, when they played 13-13 tie. The Eagles had back-to-back personal fouls, two of the Eagles’ 10 penalties in the game. “It’s not characteristic of how we coach or how we play”. They did get a fumble recovery in the third quarter and another in the fourth. The rookie finished with five receptions for 78 yards. That’s not his main objective, but he can still make you pay if you’re out of your pass rush lanes or read option stuff, things like that. The Eagles are lousy on the road, the Bengals should kick enough field goals to get the win. It started early with a bad punt by Donnie Jones. Like I’ve been saying, this is a good group of guys, a good locker room. Even without A.J. Green and Giovani Bernard, arguably Andy Dalton’s two biggest aerial threats, the quarterback picked apart the defense.

Matthews will notably be missing Sunday’s contest as a result of a lingering ankle injury that he suffered in the team’s Week 12 loss to the Green Bay Packers.