Rookie Wentz struggles again in 32-14 loss to Bengals

Number of teams with a positive turnover differential that have losing records, including the Bengals.

The lack of an effective passing game meant the run game, which Doug Pederson made clear during the week he wanted to establish, was unsustainable as Cincinnati committed early resources to stopping the Eagles’ ground attack. It was a huge game for the Bengals, as their destruction of the Eagles showed Cincinnati is a team that will not just bow out now that it’s essentially out of playoff contention.

Like an addict who refuses to admit it, Wentz continues to write off his grossly overthrown passes as just “bad throws”, as if there is no avoiding them. Defensively, Cincinnati is giving up 22.3 points and 378 yards per game.

Andy Dalton had whatever he wanted through the air, despite the absence of Green. Tight end Tyler Eifert is one of Dalton’s favorite receivers. Burfict’s made headlines on the field throughout 2016 for the wrong reasons. Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick returns an interception for a TD.

By contrast, the Bengals are on pace for 422 runs this season, which would be their fewest since 2008.

Paul Turner had six catches for 80 yards on the day, more in just his second game since being promoted from the practice squad than Nelson Agholor has ever had in his career.

Matthews is now listed as “questionable” to play this weekend. That, of course, is a pass:run ratio of about 3:1. Cincinnati clobbered the Eagles 32-14.

It was just the fourth time they’ve worn orange on top of black, and first since 2005.

The Bengals meanwhile have lost three straight games to drop down to 3-7-1, and they have next to no chance now of making the Playoffs. The Philadelphia Eagles flew into the Queen City, desperately needing a win. In the first three games, all wins, Wentz completed 66 of 102 passes for 769 yards and five TDs against no interceptions.

The Bengals tacked on 16 more points in the first half and out-gained the Eagles, 242-104, in the first half. Injuries have played a big role. At wide receiver, both A.J. Green (hamstring injury) and Marlo Alford (ankle injury) are out, while defensive end Wallace Gilberry (calf injury) and safety Derron Smith (thigh injury) will be joining them. He still only had four receptions for 23 yards.

The Bengals were allowing an average of 120.5 rush yards per game. They also doubled them in first downs, 14-7. The Eagles had back-to-back personal fouls, two of the Eagles’ 10 penalties in the game. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 41.5 points.

The Eagles’ third consecutive loss came to a team that entered Sunday with only three wins this season and only one since September.

The rookie QB had his first three-interception game, two on overthrown balls and another right into the chest of linebacker Vontaze Burfict. End Carlos Dunlap has 6½ sacks while tackle Geno Atkins has 4½. He has four INTs since 2015, tied for third among National Football League linebackers.

It doesn’t look like the Eagles have quit.

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.

If the Eagles can muster the strength to win in Cincinnati, they come home to try and regain that home field advantage.

HOME WOES: The Bengals are only 4-5 at Paul Brown Stadium since the middle of last season, including a first-round playoff meltdown against the Steelers last season.

“This team isn’t very bad”.