Cincinnati Bengals vs Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles kicked off their 2025 preseason in style with a 34–27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, August 7. Early in the game, Cincinnati showed why they remain one of the AFC’s top threats. Joe Burrow, playing limited snaps, was in midseason form—completing 9 of 10 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown strike to Tanner Hudson. The Bengals opened with back-to-back scoring drives, including a field goal by Evan McPherson, and appeared poised to control the tempo early.

Despite the hot Bengals start, the Eagles quickly found their rhythm behind backup quarterback Tanner McKee, who was exceptional under center. With Jalen Hurts resting, McKee made the most of his opportunity, throwing for 252 yards and 3 touchdowns in just the first half. His first score came after a classic “tush push” sneak at the goal line, followed by sharp throws to rookie wideouts Ainias Smith and Darius Cooper. McKee’s command of the offense, quick release, and composure against pressure allowed Philadelphia to erase Cincinnati’s early lead.

The game’s turning point came late in the second quarter when Philadelphia Eagles rookie linebacker Patrick Johnson intercepted a tipped pass from Bengals backup Desmond Ridder. The pick set up a short-field touchdown run by ShunDerrick Powell, giving Philadelphia a two-score lead heading into halftime. From there, both teams began to rotate deeper into their rosters, providing valuable reps to third-string units and rookies fighting for roster spots.

Cincinnati wasn’t done, though. In the fourth quarter, Ridder led a late surge, capping off a drive with a second touchdown pass to Hudson, narrowing the Eagles’ lead to just seven points with under two minutes remaining. A final onside kick attempt, however, was recovered by Philadelphia, allowing them to run out the clock. The Bengals showed resilience, especially in their passing attack, but couldn’t quite overcome the defensive miscues and costly turnover.

For a preseason opener, the matchup delivered high-quality action and promising storylines. Joe Burrow’s brief but flawless outing reassured Cincinnati Bengals fans, while the Eagles may have found a reliable backup in McKee, whose poise and accuracy stood out. Both coaching staffs now have plenty of film to evaluate, particularly on the defensive side. With Week 1 in the books, both franchises shift their attention to trimming rosters and fine-tuning execution heading into the heart of the preseason.