Cincinnati Bengals vs Philadelphia Eagles Point Spread Picks

Joe Burrow already sat one preseason game against the Bears, and every signal out of Cincinnati points to him sitting again here, with Zac Taylor on record saying he does not expect to see his starters again this preseason. That hands the game to Josh Johnson and Sean Clifford. Philadelphia has been even more consistent about resting Jalen Hurts in the preseason, and the reporting ahead of this finale points in the same direction again, leaving Tanner McKee in charge for the Eagles. McKee has real game experience of his own, starting for Philadelphia in spots where the Eagles have rested Hurts before, so this is not a mismatch of readiness. Cincinnati is getting plus money in a game that plays more like a coin flip, and that is a price worth taking. I'm betting the Bengals on the moneyline.

The Cincinnati Bengals have a long way to go at 3-4 on the season despite two straight wins. They will host the Philadelphia Eagles, who enter the game at 4-2. The Eagles have some question marks on the defensive side of the ball. The Eagles have played some poor offensive teams in the Giants, Saints, Browns, and Falcons and allowed just 13.3ppg to those four teams. They have faced two strong offensive teams in Green Bay and Tampa Bay, allowing an average of 31ppg. The Bengals have put up 33+ points in three of their last five games, representing the type of offense that can break through on the Philadelphia defense.  The Bengals are surrendering nearly 24ppg on the season, and I see a lot of potential offense here. Make the play on the OVER.

Philadelphia QB Carson Wentz made a big, surprising splash when he started the season. The Eagles were 3-0 and he was clicking, and so was the defense. The offense scored 29, 29, and 34 points in the first three games, and Wentz looked like a sure rookie of the year candidate. Things came to a screeching halt after Week 3. The offense that produced no less than 29 points in the first three hasn't gotten above 24 since. A defense that allowed a grand total of 27 points in the first three has allowed 24 or more in six of their last eight. It is clear to see why the Eagle has landed, and just 2-6 in their last eight. Cincinnati, at 3-7-1, never really got started to begin with, and their string of five straight playoff appearances is going to end. Cincinnati, however, is a lot closer to getting things turned around than Philadelphia. Yes, the Bengals have lost three straight, but by a total of 10 points. This is just what the doctor ordered for the Bengals, getting a team that has lost its way at home. Make the play on Cincinnati.