The Philadelphia Eagles are better than what they’ve shown through the first two weeks of the 2020 NFL season, and they’ll prove it by beating the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday afternoon.

Philadelphia is favored by five points at home over Cincinnati in Week 3, according to betting odds compiled by OddsShark. The line opened at eight points and has since moved significantly in the Bengals’ direction.

The over/under is 46.5.

Both teams have a 0-2 record. The Bengals are 1-0-1 against the spread. The Eagles haven’t come close to covering a point spread.

Carson Wentz has been the biggest culprit in Philadelphia’s slow start. The quarterback ranks 29th in completion percentage and 32nd in yards per attempt. Only Kirk Cousins has a worse passer rating.

Facing Cincinnati might be just what Wentz needs in order to get back on track.

The Bengals were the perfect antidote for Baker Mayfield’s poor start. After completing 53.8% of his passes for a 65.0 passer rating in a 38-6 loss in Week 1, Mayfield completed 69.6% of his throws for a 110.6 rating in a 35-30 victory over Cincinnati.

The Bengals are 25th in yards per play allowed. The Eagles rank seventh.

Joe Burrow has been pretty good in his first two NFL games with 509 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. The rookie’s numbers would be better if he had more help around him. A poor offensive line and an underwhelming receiving corps won’t do Burrow any favors in Week 3.

Burrow was under constant pressure in Cleveland. That might not get much better against the Eagles, who can rush the passer better than most teams. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox has been selected to five straight Pro Bowls. Malik Jackson has the highest pass-rush win rate of any defensive tackle, according to ESPN.

Cincinnati is dead last in yards per play.

Wentz and the Eagles are too good to keep playing this poorly. They will right the ship in a big way.

Prediction: Philadelphia over Cincinnati, 27-13

Carson Wentz Boston Scott Eagles
Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles hands the ball off to running back Boston Scott #35 against the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field on September 20, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rob Carr/Getty Images
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