The Eagles have never won a football game in Cincinnati. Imagine that. Worse yet, the Bengals own a dominating 9-3-2 all-time record against the boys in midnight green in a stretch dating back to 1971. Something has to give, right?
Head coach Nick Sirianni was briefed on the miserable mark during his Friday press conference and pleaded ignorance, then quickly expressed optimism about possibly breaking the curse.
“I didn’t even know that,” Sirianni told reporters on October 25. “I try not to get too wrapped up into that stuff because what does that have to do with me, really? I’ve never been on this team where I’ve been there, or Saquon [Barkley] …”
Sirianni’s voice was trailing off as reporters filled him in on the record which includes two ties. He sounded like a man ready to embrace the challenge, admitting that it wasn’t productive to think too long or hard about trends.
“That’s cool. That’s a cool thing,” Sirianni said of possibly winning the franchise’s first-ever game in Cincinnati. “I think before we played New Orleans, I remember someone telling me that we hadn’t won there in a long time. And I’m like, ‘I’ve never even played there as part of the Philadelphia Eagles.’ I think it’s an interesting stat and an interesting thing.”
“I don’t think it’s productive for us to think about that. It’s productive for us to go, ‘Okay, hey, we’re playing in a hostile environment, so we’ve got to do the things we need to do to prepare for a hostile environment.’ Really, I didn’t even know that until you just said that. So we’re going about our process the exact same way as if we were undefeated there.”
Ben VanSumeren
Yes, keep a keen eye on an undrafted linebacker who has only three combined tackles on 129 special-teams snaps. Why? Because the Eagles have started using VanSumeren as a fullback when the team is lined up in run formations. He saw five offensive snaps last week versus New York, springing a few big holes for Saquon Barkley with his 6-foot-2, 231-pound body and incredibly patient blocking.
It makes sense considering VanSumeren played wide receiver in high school. Not to mention his 40-yard dash at his Michigan State Pro Day: 4.40 seconds, which would have been the second-fastest time among qualifying linebackers at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Zack Baun
Speaking of linebackers, Zack Baun has been a revelation. Everyone laughed out loud, snickering in between gulps of Wawa coffee, when new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio hyped up the one-time Saints starter during training camp. Looks like he was right. Baun has been everywhere all at once: 57 combined tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss.
He’s the Eagles’ leading tackler through six games and he’ll have his hands full slowing down Bengals rusher Chase Brown who is averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Baun exited last week’s game with a shoulder injury but logged a full practice on Thursday. He should be good to go.
Jalen Hurts
It starts and ends with the quarterback, always and forever. Hurts has been struggling to earn his $255 million contract this season, plagued by costly turnovers and an inability to get the ball out quickly. He also seems to have forgotten how to use his legs — 218 yards on 63 carries with 4 TDs — and it hasn’t been pretty when he has escaped the pocket. He’s done too often when the protection has been solid. He’s looked slow. He’s looked like a nun at the club.
On the plus side, Hurts is one of the most efficient passers in a “clean pocket” (via Pro Football Focus); then again, that stat doesn’t account for him taking off early. Meanwhile, the Bengals own one of the worst passing defenses in the league — No. 23, allowing 353.1 yards per game and 20 touchdowns. This is a recipe for success.
Tyler Steen
The Eagles officially ruled starter Mekhi Becton out for Sunday due to a concussion sustained last week. That means Steen steps in at right guard. He’ll team up with Lane Johnson for what the Eagles hope is a Berlin Wall on the right side. It was hit or miss in Week 7 as Steen drew a dismal 45.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. Still, Saquon Barkley ran roughshod over the Giants, indicating that Steen’s real problem was in pass protection.
Ja’Marr Chase
He’ll be the most dangerous weapon on the field for the Bengals in this one. It’s unclear whether the Eagles will throw veteran Darius Slay or rookie Quinyon Mitchell at him. If it’s the latter matchup, well, buckle up and strap in. The first-round pick has been Schlage this year, allowing no touchdowns and a 72.6 passer rating on balls thrown in his direction. Enter Chase. Cincinnati’s stud receiver leads the NFL with six scores and 620 yards. Needless to say, he’s very hard to shut down.
Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
