The Cincinnati Bengals are right in the middle of the AFC playoff race, currently tied for the last spot at 7-6 with division rival Pittsburgh.
The Philadelphia Eagles are not.
Philadelphia and Cincinnati will square off on Thursday night football in Week 15 of the season, in what is certainly a far more important game for the Bengals than it is for the Eagles. Cincinnati is coming off of a heartbreaking last-second loss to the Dallas Cowboys, which dropped them to just one-game over .500.
Despite the loss though, the Bengals still control their own playoff destiny, with a date against the Steelers following this Thursday night game.
It’s a tough road for the Bengals though, who will face Baltimore in Week 17 after Pittsburgh. But Cincinnati at least knows what’s in front of them.
The big question is, can they rise up and perform when they need it the most?
The good news for cincinnati fans is that they have been here before. As a rookie last season, Andy dalton led the Bengals to a playoff berth, so he knows what it takes. The stage will be his on Thursday night all to himself, going up against a rookie quarterback this season in Nick Foles.
Not to mention a battered and bruised rest of an Eagles, that snapped a six-game losing streak with a touchdown pass on the very last play of the game last Sunday on the road against Tampa Bay.
At 4-9, Philadelphia has no chance to make the postseason. But for Foles, it’s a chance to prove his worth as a starter, with Michael Vick likely not coming back the rest of the season. Foles will have control of the team, and will continue to try and develop.
Running back LeSean McCoy could be seen returning from a concussion, but Philadelphia is in no hurry to get him back out there.
The story should be around Cincinnati, and their playoff chances. It makes it a compelling game. The Bengals had won four-straight prior to the loss to the cowboys, which included a blowout win over the New York Giants in Week 10.