Bengals Defense Delivers Knockout Blow

Dec 13, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback

(9) is pressured by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end

(96) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

In a must win game for the Cincinnati Bengals, Carlos Dunlap and the stingy Bengals Defense marched into Philly and knocked around a worn down Eagles offense as the Bengals forced five turnovers in the game.

The first turnover came on the Eagles first possession when Carlos Dunlap knocked the ball out of Jeremy Maclin’s grasp then Domata Peko dove on it. The Law Firm punched it in from 1 yard out to give the Bengals a 7-0 lead. When the Eagles next drive stalled and they were forced to punt, Daniel “Boom” Herron had a hand in blocking the ball. The Bengals Josh Brown kicked a 24 yard field goal to put Cincinnati up 10-0.

Leon Hall recorded his first interception of the season in the third quarter by a very under thrown ball by Eagles rookie quarterback Nick Foles. That’s when the wheels started to fall off of the Eagles offense and Cincinnati started to roll.

The Bengals converted the turnover into points when Andy Dalton led them down the field and scored on an 11 yard touchdown run that took 4:34 off the clock. On the second play of Philadelphia’s next possession, Nick Foles had the ball stripped and picked up by Wallace Gilberry at the 25 yard line, he then ran for a touchdown to put Cincinnati up 24-13. On the following series, Bengals safety Reggie Nelson got his helmet on the ball to force a fumble from the hands of Eagles tight end Clay Harbor. Cincinnati kicker Josh Brown hit a 32 yard field goal as the Bengals drive stalled.

The following kickoff, when you didn’t think things could get any better for the Bengals or worse for the Eagles, Philadelphia special teams player Cedric Thornton muffed the kickoff and the ball was recovered by Bengals Taylor Mays at the Philadelphia 33 yard line. This would prove to be the final costly mistake made by the Eagles.

While Cincinnati may have put up 34 points in the victory, it was the defense that saved the night from ending up like it did four days ago against Dallas. The Bengals defense only allowed 42 rushing yards on 19 attempts. The rookie, Nick Foles only threw for 179 yards on 16 of 33 passing.

Cincinnati kept their playoff hopes alive this week with the win. They are currently 8-5 with games against Pittsburgh and the Ravens left. Both of these games have serious playoff and even division title implications.