The marquee game of the night. The Bengals visit the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday at 8 p.m. ET in the only preseason Week 3 game on national television, airing on CBS. Both starting quarterbacks are expected to be on the sideline — Joe Burrow has been done since Week 1, and Jalen Hurts is unlikely to be risked — which turns the spotlight onto the backup battles and the young players fighting for roster spots.
Bengals at Eagles: How to Watch the National Game
Kickoff is 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) Friday from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The game airs nationally on CBS and streams on Paramount+. It is the final preseason tune-up for both teams before the Sept. 9 regular-season opener, and roster cuts are coming next week.
Burrow Done, Bengals Hand the Night to the Backups
Zac Taylor confirmed his starters are done for the summer. Joe Burrow got his work in Week 1, and Joe Flacco did not even play last week while Josh Johnson and Sean Clifford took every snap. Expect more of the same Friday — this is an extended audition for the bottom of Cincinnati's quarterback room and a last chance for bubble players to make the roster.
The Bengals' defense has shown flashes this preseason, and the young pass rushers will get plenty of opportunities against Philadelphia's backup offensive line.
McKee vs. Dalton: The Eagles' Backup Job Comes Down to Friday
Nick Sirianni is unlikely to risk Jalen Hurts, leaving Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton to sort out the backup job — against Dalton's old team, no less. McKee outplayed Dalton last week, and a strong follow-up Friday could all but wrap up the No. 2 role for the young quarterback. Dalton, the veteran, knows this offense and this opponent, which adds an interesting layer to the competition.
On defense, watch Ty Robinson. The defensive tackle has three sacks and six pressures in two games, an eye-opening turnaround after defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said Robinson had been on life support early in camp. If he keeps it up Friday, he could play his way into a significant role this season.
Bengals at Eagles Prediction: Philadelphia Closes the Preseason Strong
The Eagles have the deeper roster, the home crowd and the more settled quarterback situation with McKee and Dalton both capable of running the offense. Cincinnati's rotation of Johnson and Clifford has been less consistent. On national television, expect Philadelphia's backups to deliver a statement performance in front of their own fans.
Prediction: Eagles 24, Bengals 14. Tanner McKee builds on last week's strong outing, Ty Robinson adds to his sack total, and Philadelphia wins the CBS showcase in its final tune-up.
Jack Reynolds
Jack Reynolds writes about sports from a steady, fan-first perspective, focusing on storylines, trends, and angles that matter before the action starts.