Football fans love a good storyline, and when you talk about the Philadelphia Eagles vs Bengals, the conversation usually starts and ends with the quarterbacks. Jalen Hurts versus Joe Burrow. The 2020 draft class showdown. It makes for great TV, but honestly, focusing only on the signal-callers misses the actual grit of why these two teams create such weird, high-stakes energy whenever they meet.
The last time they squared off in October 2024, the Eagles walked into Paycor Stadium and basically dismantled a Cincinnati team that looked like it was finally finding its rhythm. Most people expected a shootout. Instead, they got a 37-17 physical beatdown. It wasn't just about Jalen Hurts throwing a 45-yard moonball to DeVonta Smith, though that was a highlight reel lock. It was about how Philadelphia’s defense, under Vic Fangio, turned the "Jungle" into a library in the second half.
Why the Philadelphia Eagles vs Bengals Rivalry Defies Logic
Historically, this hasn't been a frequent flyer matchup. Since they play in different conferences, we only see them every four years unless the schedule gods intervene. But when they do play, things get strange. Did you know the Bengals actually held a ten-game unbeaten streak against Philly that lasted decades? It’s true. For a long time, the Eagles simply couldn't figure out Cincinnati.
That changed recently.
The 2024 game was a massive turning point. It wasn't just a win; it was the first time in franchise history the Eagles won a game in Cincinnati. Think about that. Decades of football, and they finally broke the curse.
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The Burrow-Hurts Dynamic
You’ve got two guys from the same draft. Burrow went number one; Hurts went in the second round to a chorus of "What are the Eagles doing?"
In their 2024 meeting, Burrow started white-hot. He completed his first eight passes. The Bengals had a 17-play opening drive that sucked the air out of the stadium—ten minutes of pure efficiency. But the Eagles didn't blink. Hurts ended up accounting for four total touchdowns, three of them on the ground.
That’s the thing about the Philadelphia Eagles vs Bengals matchup. Cincinnati relies on Burrow’s surgical precision and Ja'Marr Chase’s explosiveness. Philly, meanwhile, just imposes their will. They ran for 161 yards in that game while Cincy managed a measly 58. You can’t win in the NFL if you can't run, and you definitely can't win if you can't stop the run.
The Secret Weapon: Saquon Barkley’s Impact
Everyone talks about the "Brotherly Shove" (and yes, Hurts used it to score twice in that game), but the real engine was Saquon Barkley. He finished with 108 yards on 22 carries.
Watching Barkley in an Eagles jersey against the Bengals' front was like watching a masterclass in patience. He didn't have a 50-yard explosive run. He just chipped away. Four yards. Six yards. Nine yards. By the fourth quarter, the Bengals' defense looked gassed.
Defending the "Big Three"
Cincinnati has Chase. They have Tee Higgins (when he’s healthy). They have Mike Gesicki. On paper, that’s a nightmare for any secondary.
In the 2024 clash, the Eagles' young secondary actually stepped up. Rookie Cooper DeJean made a massive tackle on Ja'Marr Chase on a fourth-and-one that basically ended Cincinnati’s hopes. It’s those small, un-flashy plays that decide these cross-conference games. Most fans remember the long touchdowns, but that DeJean tackle was the loudest play of the day for the guys in the locker room.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think the Bengals are "soft" because they struggle with physicality sometimes. That’s a lazy take.
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The Bengals are built for a specific type of game. They want Joe Burrow to throw 40 times and out-finesse you. When they play the Eagles, they run into a team that is built like a sledgehammer. The Eagles' offensive line, even when missing starters like Jordan Mailata or Mekhi Becton (as they were in late 2024), remains the gold standard.
They didn't allow a single sack on Hurts in that game. Not one. If you give Jalen Hurts all day to throw, he’s going to find A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith. It’s inevitable.
Key Stats from the Last Matchup:
- Total Yards: Eagles 397, Bengals 280
- Rushing Yards: Eagles 161, Bengals 58
- Turnovers: Eagles 0, Bengals 2
- Time of Possession: Philly held the ball for nearly 32 minutes.
Looking Toward the Future
As we head deeper into 2026, the landscape has shifted. The Eagles are coming off a 2024 season where they went 14-3 and made a deep run, eventually winning the Super Bowl over the Chiefs in early 2025. Jalen Hurts has solidified himself as a Tier 1 quarterback, and Saquon Barkley is the reigning Offensive Player of the Year.
The Bengals, meanwhile, are constantly re-tooling. Joe Burrow is still Joe Burrow—he had a statistical season for the ages in 2024, throwing for over 4,900 yards—but they are still searching for that perfect defensive balance.
If you're betting on the next Philadelphia Eagles vs Bengals game, don't just look at the QB stats. Look at the trenches. Look at whether the Bengals have fixed their run defense and if the Eagles' secondary can handle the pure speed of Cincy's wideouts.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the Tush Push: If the game is within five yards of the goal line, the Eagles have an almost 95% success rate. It's frustrating for opponents, but it's a legal cheat code.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Both of these teams are historically "top-heavy." If A.J. Brown is out for Philly or Ja'Marr Chase is sidelined for Cincy, the entire offensive identity changes.
- The "Under Center" Shift: Jalen Hurts has been taking more snaps under center recently. This makes the Eagles' play-action game much more dangerous. Watch for this against the Bengals' aggressive linebackers.
- Secondary Depth: Keep an eye on guys like Quinyon Mitchell and Isaiah Rodgers. They were the ones who finally figured out how to slow down the Burrow-to-Chase connection.
The Philadelphia Eagles vs Bengals matchup is more than just a game; it’s a clash of philosophies. One team wants to out-athlete you with speed and precision; the other wants to crush you with depth and power. Based on their recent history, the power game is currently winning out. To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the Eagles' rushing efficiency in the first half of their next meeting. If they're averaging over 4.5 yards per carry early, it's usually lights out for Cincinnati.