5* BENGALS/EAGLES THURSDAY NFL BLUE CHIP TOP PLAY

Cincinnati vs. Philadelphia, 12/13/2012 20:20 EDT, Score: 34 - 13

Point Spread: -4/-110 Cincinnati

Sportsbook: BookMaker

Result: Win

5* BENGALS/EAGLES THURSDAY NFL BLUE CHIP TOP PLAY: Bengals -4

The Bengals dropped to 7-6 overall after a heartbreaking 19-20 home loss to the Cowboys this past weekend. Cincinnati is tied with the Steelers for the final Wild Card spot in the AFC, but Pittsburgh holds the tiebreaker due to a 24-17 win at Cincinnati back in Week 7. The Bengals still control their own fate, as they go on the road to face the Steelers and host the Ravens after their showdown against the Eagles.

There’s no question that Cincinnati is the team with the most at stake in this matchup. While the Eagles are coming off an impressive 23-21 win at Tampa Bay, that actually might be a good thing for the Bengals. Philadelphia had lost eight straight before beating Tampa Bay and were really playing hard to put an end to that losing streak. This could be a huge letdown spot for the Eagles, who gain nothing by beating Cincinnati and are likely more interested in playing spoiler against division rivals Washington and New York over the final two weeks of the season.

The Eagles defense played one of their better games of the entire season last week against the Buccaneers, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see them struggle against Cincinnati. Philadelphia had allowed 28 points or more in each of their previous six games. The Eagles pass defense played well against the Buccaneers, but overall it hasn’t been good this season. Cincinnati is 19-7 ATS vs poor pass defenses that allow 7 or more yards/attempt in the second half of the season since 1992. BET THE BENGALS!