Bengals secure 20-year first undefeated preseason; Eagles focus on roster cuts

Key points

• Cincinnati won 30-13, finishing the preseason with a 3-0 record, a milestone not achieved in 20 years.
• The Bengals rushed for 211 yards, with backup offensive line and college free agents Kentrel Bullock and Jamal Haynes contributing significantly in the fourth quarter.
• Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee took 32 snaps, while Andy Dalton took 25; Cole Payton saw only 3 snaps, raising questions about his usage.
• Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon had a poor performance, catching 3 passes for 3 yards and dropping a pass that led to an interception.
• Eagles cornerback Andre' Sam earned the game ball but suffered a lower leg injury that may end his season.
• Bengals head coach Zac Taylor praised the offensive line's performance, noting they allowed only one sack on a rollout.

Background

This is the third and final preseason game for both teams. In Week 2, the Eagles split quarterback reps between Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton, with McKee leading in production. The Eagles also evaluated depth in the backfield and defense, with players like Carson Steele and Kelee Ringo showing promise. The Bengals had previously focused on their defensive line and special teams in earlier preseason games.

How outlets are covering it

The Bengals' perspective, as reported by Cincinnati Bengals, emphasized their rushing attack and defensive line performance, with head coach Zac Taylor praising the team's ability to 'grind it out' and 'find ways to win.' The Eagles' perspective, as reported by PhillyVoice, focused on snap counts and roster decisions, with questions raised about the usage of Cole Payton and the performance of Makai Lemon. The two outlets highlight different aspects of the game, with the Bengals focusing on their overall performance and the Eagles on individual player evaluations.

Why it matters

The Bengals' undefeated preseason is a significant milestone, indicating a strong foundation for the regular season. For the Eagles, the game provided crucial information for final roster decisions, with several players making strong cases for 53-man spots. The performance of key players like Andre' Sam and Makai Lemon will be closely watched as the teams prepare for the regular season.

What to watch

Both teams will make their final roster cuts on Sunday, August 30, 2026. The Eagles will need to decide on several players, including those who made strong cases in the preseason, while the Bengals will finalize their 53-man roster. The regular season is expected to begin in September 2026.