6 Numbers That Tell The Story Of Eagles Beating The Bengals

• 29.75

  A lot was made of the Eagles’ slow start. But most of that worry came from the 3 games AJ Brown missed. They averaged 17.2 points per game in the 3 games Brown missed. In 1 of those games, they were also missing Devonta Smith and Lane Johnson. But remember, in game 1 they scored 34 on the Packers. Now they have scored 20, 28, and 37 in the 3 games since he returned.

  In games where AJ Brown plays, they average 29.75 points per game. Remember, that is with them pulling started in each of the last two games. The starters didn’t see the field in the 4th quarter against the Giants. Will Shipley was getting carries late vs the Bengals.  They took their foot off the gas and still put up crooked numbers. When AJ Brown plays, this offense is elite.

  Receiver School on X (formerly Twitter): "AJ Brown in attack mode, moving with urgency and intent, but also patient in setting up the move to win the slant pic.twitter.com/VYtxpquisf / X"

  AJ Brown in attack mode, moving with urgency and intent, but also patient in setting up the move to win the slant pic.twitter.com/VYtxpquisf

• 29

  The defense did not get off to a good start. Joe Burrow picked them apart with way too much ease early in the game. It is not how you start though, it is how you finish. The thing that separates Vic Fangio from past coordinators here who ran the same scheme, is adjustments. He is capable of adjusting in-game. We saw that on display Sunday. Joe Burrow had their number early, with 175 yards in the first half. Fangio adjusted and shut the Bengals down. Just 7 points in the 2nd half.

  But it got even better in the 4th quarter. It might have been a 20-point win, but things were tight to open up the final quarter. It was 24-17 Eagles. They kicked a FG to open the quarter to make it 27-17. It was only a 2-score game, with a lot of time left. The Bengals could have easily come back. Instead, the Eagles gave up just 29 yards across 3 drives in the 4th quarter. They also got 2 takeaways and got a turnover on downs.

  That is as encouraging of a sign as there can be. Seeing this defense struggle early, adjust, and then shut down a talented offense was so impressive.

  NFL on X (formerly Twitter): "Isaiah Rodgers deflects the pass to his teammate CJ Gardner-Johnson!📺: #PHIvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/jnVxvq6U1f / X"

  Isaiah Rodgers deflects the pass to his teammate CJ Gardner-Johnson!📺: #PHIvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/jnVxvq6U1f

• 4.5%

  A lot was made about Fred Johnson vs Trey Hendrickson this week. After he struggled a bit against Brian Burns in pass protection the week before, there was concern about how he would hold up against another elite pass rusher. Turns out there was no reason to worry because Johnson was fantastic as a pass blocker.

  In 22 pass block snaps, he gave up just 1 pressure. A pressure rate of just 4.5% against him. 13 of those snaps came against Trey Hendrickson. That is one of the better pass rushers in the league, and Johnson shut him down. Fred Johnson has been great as a run blocker ever since get got here, but to see him be that good against the pass is an encouraging sign. Not just for the meantime while they await for Jordan Mailata to return, but going forward for any case where they might need a backup.

  Dave Zangaro on X (formerly Twitter): "Fred Johnson allowed just one pressure on 22 pass blocking snaps against the Bengals, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Trey Hendrickson had just 1 pressure on 13 snaps against Johnson.Impressive game from Johnson. He and Hendrickson swapped jerseys after. / X"

  Fred Johnson allowed just one pressure on 22 pass blocking snaps against the Bengals, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Trey Hendrickson had just 1 pressure on 13 snaps against Johnson.Impressive game from Johnson. He and Hendrickson swapped jerseys after.

• 0

  Few players protected the ball worse than Jalen hurts going into the bye week. But no player has protected the ball better than him since. In the last 3 games, Hurts has 0 turnovers. Not only that, but he has 0 turnover-worthy plays.

  But it is not like they are no longer taking risks. he has a TD pass of at least 40 yards in all 3 games. They are taking shots. Hurts is 12th in the league in Average Air yards intended.  This is not them only letting him make easy throws because they don’t trust him. He is still making great throws every game. Both deep down the field, and in the intermediate area of the field. He was 6 for 7 with a  TD on passes of over 10 yards.

  That throw to Devonta Smith was elite. it was tight coverage, and deep down the field. He still delivered the perfect pass, where Smith made a great play. Don’t look now, but 2022 Hurts might be back.

  Next Gen Stats on X (formerly Twitter): "Jalen Hurts' 45-yard TD pass to DeVonta Smith traveled 59.3 yards in the air, the longest completion of Hurts' career.🔹 Target Separation: 0.8 yds🔹 Completion Probability: 21.6%🔹 Win Probability Added: +16.5%#PHIvsCIN | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/JwrKg8CPbl / X"

  Jalen Hurts' 45-yard TD pass to DeVonta Smith traveled 59.3 yards in the air, the longest completion of Hurts' career.🔹 Target Separation: 0.8 yds🔹 Completion Probability: 21.6%🔹 Win Probability Added: +16.5%#PHIvsCIN | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/JwrKg8CPbl

• 35.7%

  I fully admit to losing faith in Nolan Smith. After he couldn’t get on the field last year, and struggled early this year, I had major doubts about him. But it was another fantastic game by him. But in the past 3 weeks, he has made me look foolish for doubting him.

  Smith now has 3 sacks in his last 3 games. He had just 1 last season. But more than the sacks, he is consistently winning his matchups. His Pass Rush Win rate on Sunday was 35.7%. For the context of how good that number is, Aidan Hutchinson has the best pass-run win rate among Edge Rushers this season with 35%. Smith was very good on Sunday.

  As a group, the sack numbers fell. It was hard to see them continuing to get that many sacks every week as they did vs the Browns and Giants. But they did still get pressure. Bryce Huff fell off again, but Nolan Smith has 3 straight good weeks now. Maybe he has figured something out.

  PFF PHI Eagles on X (formerly Twitter): "The highest-graded Eagles in Week 8 vs the Bengals:🥇 Zack Baun - 91.3🥈 Nakobe Dean - 90.7🥉 Jalen Carter - 89.8🏅 Jalen Hurts - 89.7🏅 Nolan Smith - 83.5 pic.twitter.com/cK5XBIuWrT / X"

  The highest-graded Eagles in Week 8 vs the Bengals:🥇 Zack Baun - 91.3🥈 Nakobe Dean - 90.7🥉 Jalen Carter - 89.8🏅 Jalen Hurts - 89.7🏅 Nolan Smith - 83.5 pic.twitter.com/cK5XBIuWrT

• .318

  The Eagles have 10 games left, and those team teams are a combined 36-39 (.480). That is the 18th easiest schedule left in the league. But honestly, it might be easier than even that. Because there are only 4 games left vs an opponent with a winning record, the Ravens, Steelers, and the Commanders twice. The other 6 teams are 14-30 (.318).

  This is a very manageable schedule for the Eagles. Jaguars, Rams, Giants, Panthers, and the Cowboys twice. Even if they split the 4 tough games, there is still a path to 13-4 or 12-5. They have recently beaten up on bad teams, and there are a lot of bad teams left.

  If you go by ESPN FPI, they have the easiest schedule the rest of the way, and they have been the 4th best team so far.

  97.5 The Fanatic on X (formerly Twitter): "The Eagles have a lot of winnable games on their schedule. Will they take advantage of them? @TyJohnsonNews @rickybottalico @sylvanakell pic.twitter.com/ZmEkzXYseC / X"

  The Eagles have a lot of winnable games on their schedule. Will they take advantage of them? @TyJohnsonNews @rickybottalico @sylvanakell pic.twitter.com/ZmEkzXYseC