What we learned from the Eagles’ 37-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals

CINCINNATI. The Eagles picked up their most impressive win of the season on Sunday, beating Cincinnati Bengals, 37-17, after a dominant second half, showing on both sides of the ball.

At 5-2 in what appears to be a two-horse contest with the NFC East-leading Washington Commanders, the Eagles appear to be hitting their stride as they approach the midway point of the season.

Here’s what we learned:

License to spend

A win on Sunday should propel the Eagles into the buying category ahead of next Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Even though the Bengals entered with a shaky record (3-4), the Eagles showed the type of performance they will need in the big games this year and beyond. It’s the type of win that leaves less room for interpretation when evaluating how they’ll handle the deadline. Howie Roseman has a track record of being one of the most active general managers in the league all year long, especially at the deadline when his teams are positioned the way the Eagles are right now.

What areas can be reinforced? Edge Rusher seems obvious. The Eagles’ pass rush has been much better over the last three weeks, with Nolan Smith sacked in three straight games for the second year in a row, but it’s a premium position the team has looked at at past deadlines because a deep rotation can be game-changing. A tight end would also make sense, as the Eagles lean even more toward a run-first approach and are currently managing without Dallas Goedert in the lineup. Inside linebacker could also be useful, though the first two spots have a more obvious need.

When evaluating what type of players make sense, it’s important to note that some of those midseason additions, including trades for veteran top receiver Robert Quinn in 2022 and safety Kevin Byard a year later, didn’t pan out for the Eagles. The Eagles haven’t had the best track record in such deals, but the addition of running back Jay Ajayi in 2017 and the decision to sign Linwal Joseph and Ndamukong Suh in 2022 show the potential upside of a midseason addition to a surge. team.

Cleveland Browns’ Za’Darius Smith could be an all-around rusher that would help the Eagles, but the 32-year-old certainly fits the previously problematic profile of an aging veteran with a potentially expiring contract. New Orleans Saints cornerback Chase Young, 25, no pun intended, is younger and has the kind of pedigree the Eagles often crave. Still, Young has just 2 sacks this season compared to Smith’s five.

While Browns star Myles Garrett and Las Vegas Raiders star Max Crosby have been the subject of some trade speculation — and each would command a hefty price tag if they become available — it’s hard to imagine either of them actually getting case

There are fewer options at tight end. Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble has draft pedigree as a former third-round pick, but has been limited throughout his career. However, almost anyone at that position, especially on a losing team, will need some projection.

Black Forces Fred

Fred Johnson arrived at Paycor Stadium wearing all black and black Nike Air Force 1 trainers to complete the look.

The shoe, synonymous with a tough, no-nonsense approach, was intentional for Johnson in his bid to get revenge on the team that fired him a few years ago.

“It was one of those little things in the back of your mind, like, ‘I want to beat this team,'” Johnson said after the Eagles’ win. “… I came back here and had something to prove. Like, hey, you should have bet on me. You all didn’t.”

Sitting at his locker after the Eagles’ win, Johnson read the words on the back of Trey Hendrickson’s jersey afterward reliable performance against his former teammate ended with an exchange of jerseys. He kept Pro Bowl leader Jalen Hurts in check for the most part on 21 sacks, and was instrumental in the team’s successful game to salt the game in the second half.

Afterward, Johnson said the game felt like a full-circle moment. He spent most of the first three years of his career with the Bengals before the team cut him in 2022. He signed with the Eagles later that year and began the season as the team’s frequently used backup tackle, Johnson left his old connections with a newfound confidence in the injured Jordan Mailati.

“I wanted to check my growth from when I was here to now,” Johnson said. “And I feel like my thinking has improved 1,000 times.”

Johnson admitted he looked at the schedule when Mailata landed on injured reserve two weeks ago. It was a terrible sight. Games against the New York Giants, Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys meant matchups with some of the league’s best pass rushers. He struggled at times with Giants shortstop Brian Burns, but was successful on the island against Hendrickson a week later.

“You just try not to focus on it, man,” Johnson said of the tricky stretch. “This is a hell of an opportunity. That’s all I’ve asked for in my entire career. It’s all I’ve wanted my whole career. This is basically what goes down. God blessed me with this opportunity, God blessed me with this potential, I’m trying to make the most of it.”

This is a real opportunity that Johnson has. A few more performances like the one he had Sunday, especially against Cowboys MVP Mickey Parsons in two weeks, and Johnson could make a strong case for a starting role elsewhere in an offensive line deficit NFL. It wouldn’t be the first time the Eagles have been paid to start elsewhere, but Johnson will need to show consistency to follow in the footsteps of guys like Halapuliwati Vaitai and Andre Dillard.

Johnson says being the point guard for Hurts is starting to feel more natural.

“I think I’ve settled in great,” Johnson said. “I feel like the game is coming back to me, I’m settling in and becoming the best asset to this team.”

Drill up and down

Stand up, Jalen Hurts:Hurts had a stellar game, possibly his best performance of the season and one of his best in recent memory. What stands out while watching the game are the types of shots Hurts made and how infrequent they have been for much of this season. He made quick decisions targeting the middle of the field, protected the ball while doing so, and managed the pocket well, making key contributions as a runner. If the Eagles get this kind of play from Hurts more often, their ceiling will be much higher in December and January.

Above: Kellen Moore: To its credit, Hurts’ effective day was due to the Eagles’ new offensive structure and a much more visible connection between the team’s dominant run game and the play-action concepts that flow from it. Several of Hurts’ best moments, including a 45-yard touchdown to DeVonta Smith, came on passes that used Saquon Barkley’s gravity to create space down the field. I’ve written about the Eagles’ passing game’s lack of rhythm and lack of finesse before — and the Eagles’ offensive coordinator provided plenty of both in his calls on Sunday.

Below, Jahan Dotson’s deal: You may have noticed that wide receiver was not among my positions to watch at the trade deadline. The Eagles already added there midseason, but Dotson’s lack of production, along with the prices paid for more proven receivers like Davante Adams, Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins over the past few weeks, puts the September trade in a new light. . It’s not all Dotson’s fault — and he’s on a rookie contract, unlike Adams, Cooper and Hopkins — but his lack of involvement in the Eagles’ offense this season makes it hard to justify the draft compensation — including a third-round pick — used to acquire him .

Up, Cooper DeJean: It’s hard to understate how important Cooper DeJean’s move to nickel cornerback was to the Eagles’ defense. There are many factors contributing to the group’s turnaround over the last three weeks, but DeJean is almost the number one reason for the jump in production. He was a steady player and a threat as a lightning rod, but constantly improved in coverage. He showed every facet on Sunday, though his fourth tackle against Ja’Marr Chase will go down as his most impactful for good reason.