Domo's Eagles-Bengals Scouting Report

Recent history: The Eagles and Bengals played to a 13-13 tie on Nov. 16, 2008 in Cincinnati. The Bengals lead the series, 7-3-1.

OFFENSE

Eagles

362.9 yards per game (11th)

Bengals

355.2 yards per game (15th)

Quarterback

Eagles

Nick Foles is coming off an impressive performance vs. the Bucs and hasn't thrown an interception in 142 attempts. He had eight completions of 20 yards or more vs. Tampa Bay, and completed 9 of 15 passes against the blitz. But the Bengals lead the league in sacks.

Bengals

Andy Dalton has managed to avoid a sophomore slump, improving in almost every significant statistical category. His 25 touchdown passes are the fifth most in the league. In the last five games, he has 11 touchdown passes and just three interceptions.

Pick: Bengals

Running back

Eagles

After rushing for 347 yards and four TDs against Carolina and Dallas, rookie Bryce Brown was held to 6 yards on 12 carries by the Bucs. The Eagles were able to survive without a ground game because the Bucs' pass defense is poor. That won't work against the Bengals.

Bengals

BenJarvus Green-Ellis isn't a home run threat. He won't get to the corner very often and he won't reel off many 20-plus yard runs. But he's a productive one-cut slasher who is averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He has converted 12 of 13 third-and-1s.

Pick: Bengals

Receiving

Eagles

Jeremy Maclin, who had nine catches for 104 yards and the game-winning TD Sunday, needs to become consistent. He hasn't had two games in a row with 40-plus receiving yards this season. Foles' size helps him get the ball to TE Clay Harbor and slot receiver Jason Avant.

Bengals

A.J. Green combines size, speed and athleticism. The 6-4, 207-pounder has a league-high 10 touchdown catches. He's had 85 or more receiving yards in six of the last seven games. TE Jermaine Gresham has five TD catches.

Pick: Bengals

Offensive line

Eagles

This unit struggled against a Bucs pass rush that entered the game with just 18 sacks and exited with 24. They will face a considerably bigger challenge against the Bengals' fierce rush. Interior line must find a way to neutralize DT Geno Atkins.

Bengals

Bengals already have given up 32 sacks after allowing just 25 last season. Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith are one of the AFC's better tackle tandems, but this unit is young inside. Getting C Kyle Cook back from injury helps.

Pick: Bengals

DEFENSE

Eagles

348.6 yards per game (14th)

Bengals

328.0 yards per game (6th)

Defensive line

Eagles

New d-line coach Tommy Brasher has ditched Jim Washburn's wide-nine and his eight-man rotation. Brasher's starting four played the bulk of the snaps against the Bucs. DE Trent Cole (2 sacks) hasn't had a solo sack since Week 2.

Bengals

The Bengals have a league-high 42 sacks, 33 by the front four. This unit is deep with quality pass-rushers. Best of the bunch is Geno Atkins, a disruptive three-technique tackle with 10 1/2 sacks who has been compared to Hall of Famer John Randle.

Pick: Bengals

Linebacker

Eagles

The Eagles benched WLB Akeem Jordan vs. Bucs, moved SLB Mychal Kendricks to WILL and inserted former starter Jamar Chaney at SAM. Kendricks is better suited for the WILL. But Chaney doesn't have very good coverage instincts and could struggle vs. TE Jermaine Gresham.

Bengals

This unit suffered a big blow in Week 2 when three-down LB Thomas Howard tore his ACL. But undrafted rookie Vontaze Burfict has stepped in and played very well at WILL. He is second on the team in tackles.

Pick: Even

Secondary

Eagles

The Eagles have given up 18 TD passes in the last seven games and don't have an interception in that time. CBs Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha both have struggled much of the year, though Rodgers-Cromartie played well last week.

Bengals

The Bengals have as much depth at cornerback as any team in the league, which helps them avoid the kind of matchup problems the Bucs faced last week against the Eagles' 3- and 4-wide receiver sets.

Pick: Bengals

Special teams

Eagles

P Mat McBriar is 25th in the league in net average (37.6), but has had a 39.0 or better net in each of the last three games. Eagles appear to have straightened out their kickoff-coverage problems, but gave up 18- and 30-yard punt returns to Bucs' Roscoe Parrish.

Bengals

PK Josh Brown converted all four of his FG attempts vs. Dallas, including a 52-yarder. They have a very good return game. Adam Jones is third in the league in PRs with a 14.3-yard average, and Brandon Tate is 15th in KRs (25.1).

Pick: Bengals

Domo's prediction: Bengals 24, Eagles 20

Hot and Not

HOT

Eagles: WRs Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant. Combined for 16 catches, 237 yards and a touchdown vs. Bucs.

Bengals: DT Geno Atkins. Leads all NFL DTs with 10 1/2 sacks, including 3 1/2 in the last four games.

NOT

Eagles: RB Bryce Brown. After rushing for 347 yards and 4 TDs vs. Carolina and Dallas, Brown was held to 6 yards on 12 carries by Bucs.

Bengals: TE Jermaine Gresham. Has just 119 receiving yards in the last three games.

KEY MATCHUPS

1. Eagles LG Evan Mathis vs. Bengals DT Geno Atkins: Atkins is one of the league's top pass-rushing DTs. But Mathis is having a Pro Bowl-worthy season. He hasn't given up a sack in 13 games. Advantage: Bengals

2. Eagles CBs Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie/Nnamdi Asomugha vs. Bengals WR A.J. Green: Green has 1,151 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Rodgers-Cromartie and Asomugha have struggled much of the season. Advantage: Bengals

3. Eagles RDE Trent Cole vs. Bengals LT Andrew Whitworth: Whitworth is one of the better pass-blocking tackles in the league. Cole has just two sacks in 13 games. Advantage: Bengals