McPherson kicks Bengals to victory
Eagles star Hurts puzzles about Monday flu
September 26, 2023, 7:12 a.m
The outstanding start carried the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl last season. The team is starting strong this year too. Quarterback Jalen Hurts allows himself a game of light and shadow against Tampa Bay. Only two others are still undefeated.
The Philadelphia Eagles also won the third game of the season in the NFL and strengthened their claims to return to the Super Bowl. The team won 25:11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were also previously undefeated. In addition to his touchdown pass and a self-scored touchdown, quarterback Jalen Hurts also allowed two passes intercepted by the Bucs defense. But he also struggled with flu symptoms, as he reported afterwards. “This isn’t the first time,” Hurts said, “and for some reason it always happens in Monday games.”
Because running back DeVonta Smith had a very strong evening with 130 yards of space, the Eagles were in control of the game throughout. Only the phenomenally playing Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers are also still undefeated. “He’s a great player. He’s developed a lot,” Hurts praised his teammate Smith on ESPN. “It’s about how we play. We found a way to do our job and win.” Wide receiver AJ Brown (131) also had a strong game.
The struggling Cincinnati Bengals ended their series of bankruptcies in the second Monday encounter and won 19:16 in a defensive battle against the Los Angeles Rams. In the rematch of the Super Bowl two years ago, kicker Evan McPherson was the player with the most points on the field. He sank four of his five attempts, with the 54-yard field goal seven minutes before the end ultimately making the difference.
The ailing star quarterback Joe Burrow remained without a touchdown pass. He wasn’t at fault for an interception; Rams defender Ahkello Witherspoon was just too good in the scene. Bengals pass receiver Ja’Marr Chase had his best game of the season, catching 12 passes for a total of 141 yards.