When looking at the Cincinnati Bengals' 2024 schedule, most fans immediately think about the intense matchups with AFC North rivals or the Kansas City Chiefs. Naturally, you’d expect these games to feature prominently on any list of the NFL's top matchups for next season.
But in a surprising twist, NFL.com's Kevin Patra highlighted the Bengals' Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles as one of the 10 best games to watch next year. This is an exciting pick because it’s not your typical headline game.
Here are some reasons why this matchup is so thrilling:
- Pivotal Seasons for Former Super Bowl Entrants: Both the Bengals and Eagles are entering crucial seasons, aiming to climb back to the top of the NFL.
- Key Quarterback Health: The performance of both teams heavily depends on the health of their quarterbacks. Jalen Hurts struggled with injuries last year, leading to a late-season slump for the Eagles. Joe Burrow’s wrist injury in November derailed the Bengals' season just as they were trying to overcome a slow start.
- Cross-Conference Showdown: This isn't just any game; it’s an uncommon cross-conference battle between two potential contenders with sights set on the Super Bowl.
Despite not being one of the five primetime games or featuring some of the quirky scheduling elements that might challenge the Bengals, this game has the potential to be a standout. If both teams bring their A-game, we could witness a late-afternoon showdown that contends for game of the year.
In short, don't overlook this game just because it's not the typical marquee matchup. It could very well turn out to be a gem in the 2024 NFL season.
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