The Eagles (5-6) need a win Sunday to stay in the NFC playoff hunt while the Bengals (3-7-1) may be playing for Marvin Lewis' job with their streak of five consecutive AFC playoff appearances all but certain to end.
Welcome to December desperation.
The Eagles have fallen to earth with a thud after a surprising 4-2 start under rookie Carson Wentz, dropping six of their last eight. They're also just 1-5 on the road, with the lone victory coming against the lowly Bears in Week 2.
Just like the Bengals, they're having a hard time finding the end zone, averaging just 14 points in their last two games -- losses to the Packers and Seahawks.
The Bengals, losers of three straight, can't protect Andy Dalton and can't score. Both of these things are related. Dalton has been taken to the turf 32 times this season, second only to Andrew Luck's 35. It's gotten so bad for the Bengals at right tackle that Cedric Ogbuehi, the team's 2015 first-round pick, is now rotating with veteran Eric Winston.
Whoever plays the right side for the Bengals will have his hands full with Eagles end Brandon Graham, who leads the team in sacks (five) and hurries.
Also not comforting for Dalton: He'll be without his top target and security blanket, A.J. Green, for what amounts to a third straight week. Green got injured in the first series against the Bills in a Week 11 loss.
For the Eagles on offense, expect Doug Pederson to try to re-establish the run to take some heat off Wentz. The Bengals are 28th against the run.
Here are more details on the matchup, including how to watch and stream the game and a pick from Pete Prisco.
How to Watch
- What: Philadelphia Eagles at Cincinnati Bengals
- When: Sunday, Dec. 3, 1 p.m. ET
- Where: Paul Brown Stadium
- TV: FOX (Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Peter Schrager)
- Streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile App
- Sunday Ticket: DirecTV
- Online: NFL Game Pass (available to watch online after midnight)
- Odds: The Bengals are a 1.5-point favorite (via SportsLine)
Injury report
Eagles
- RB Ryan Mathews (Knee) -- Out
- OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai (Knee) -- Out
- WR Jordan Matthews (Ankle) -- Questionable
Bengals
- DE Wallace Gilberry (Calf) -- Out
- WR A.J. Green (Hamstring) -- Out
- S Derron Smith (Thigh) -- Out
- LS Clark Harris (Groin) -- Doubtful
- TE C.J. Uzomah (Thigh) -- Doubtful
Prisco's Pick
The Eagles have lost six of eight games and have pretty much fallen out of the playoff race. The same holds true for the Bengals, who are a big disappointment. But I think the Bengals show some life here for Marvin Lewis and win it.
Pick: Bengals 23, Eagles 17
