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Posted: 6:12 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2012
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By Jay Morrison
Staff Writer
CINCINNATI —
The Philadelphia Eagles snapped a nine-game losing streak Sunday in Tampa, but big changes on the coaching staff and roster are likely next year, which makes them a dangerous team for the Cincinnati Bengals to face on the road.
Especially in a short-week Thursday night game on the heels of blowing a nine-point fourth quarter lead against Dallas on Sunday.
“It’s a quick turnaround, and that’s probably a good thing for us,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. “The Eagles are a well-put-together football team that obviously is not happy with where they are in their season. They kind of right the ship a bit (Sunday), and we know we have to go play error free football to win over in Philly on Thursday night.”
Here is an early look at the Eagles:
OFFENSE
Quarterback Nick Foles and running back Bryce Brown have stepped in for the injured Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy and kept the Eagles offense competitive.
Foles has started the last four games since Vick suffered a concussion and has completed 113 of 184 passes for 1,174 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions.
Brown had been especially strong in relief with 178 yards and two touchdowns in his first start against Carolina and 169 yards and two scores versus Dallas. But Sunday at Tampa, he carried 12 times for just 6 yards.
Philadelphia also has lost wide receiver DeSean Jackson for the season, but the team still ranks 11th in total offense (369.2 yards per game). The Eagles rank ninth in rushing (125.5) and 15th in passing (237.4).
The problem has been turnovers, as their 29 are second-worst in the league (Kansas City 33). The Eagles have thrown 12 interceptions and lost and NFL-worst 17 fumbles.
DEFENSE
The Eagles are led by two former Pro Bowl cornerbacks in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha along with defensive end and former University of Cincinnati standout Trent Cole, but they rank in the middle of pack in yardage allowed and dead last in turnovers forced.
Philadelphia is allowing 348.6 yards per game, which ranks 14th in the NFL. The Eagles rank 17th against the rush (119.3) and 15th against the pass (229.3).
The bigger issue has been their inability to turn teams over with just 10 takeaways all year, and four of those came in the season opener. The Eagles have played five consecutive games without forcing a single turnover.
Philadelphia also has been lacking in the pass rush with just 22 sacks, which ranks 29th. Rookie Fletcher Cox has a team-high four, while linebacker DeMeco Ryans leads the Eagles with 98 tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter Mat McBriar ranks sixth with a 47.8-yard average, but his net average of 37.6 ranks 26th thanks to a punt-coverage unit that ranks 30th. The Eagles’ kickoff coverage unit also struggles and is ranked 25th.
Kicker Alex Henry is 23 of 26 on field goals this year with a long of 49.
SERIES
The Bengals are 7-3-1 in 11 games against the Eagles, including 4-3 in Philadelphia. The most recent game between the teams ended in a 13-13 tie at Paul Brown Stadium in 2008. The last time the Bengals played in Philadelphia, they won 38-10 in the 2004 season finale.
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