The Cincinnati Bengals fell to the Philadelphia Eagles 34-27 in their preseason opener, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses ahead of the regular season.

Why it matters: This loss comes as the Bengals fine-tune their roster and strategies for the upcoming season, with both offensive and defensive units needing to address key issues before Week 1.

• The Bengals performance underscores the importance of discipline, as they committed eight penalties for 68 yards, a statistic that could prove detrimental in tighter regular-season games.

What’s new: Joe Burrow demonstrated his continued prowess as a quarterback, completing 9 of 10 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

• Despite a stellar overall performance, Burrow acknowledged he was not satisfied, labeling his effort as “average” and recognizing the need for improvement, particularly in minimizing errors.

Yes, but: While the offense showed promise, the defense struggled against explosive plays from the Eagles.

• Cincinnati's first-string defense allowed significant yardage, exposing vulnerabilities that could be exploited in the regular season.

By the numbers: The Bengals’ recent history indicates a troubling trend, as they have managed just one combined win in Weeks 1 and 2 since 2019.

• Last season, seven of their eight regular-season losses were by a margin of seven points or fewer, emphasizing the need for sharper execution in high-pressure situations.

What to watch: As the team moves forward, the focus will be on reducing procedural penalties and enhancing team discipline.

• Coach Zac Taylor highlighted the need for better team football, stating, "Those are all things that, as a team, we can't tolerate."

Our thought bubble: With Burrow as an MVP finalist last season and leading the NFL in passing yards, the Bengals are poised for success, but consistency is key.

• Players like Ja'Marr Chase, who recently received a contract extension, provide strong support, while others like Tee Higgins must improve their chemistry with Burrow to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

The bottom line: The Bengals have areas to address following their preseason opener. Finding a balance between individual talent and collective discipline will be critical as they prepare for a challenging regular season.

The Cincinnati Bengals fell to the Philadelphia Eagles 34-27 in their preseason opener, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses ahead of the regular season.

Why it matters: This loss comes as the Bengals fine-tune their roster and strategies for the upcoming season, with both offensive and defensive units needing to address key issues before Week 1.

• The Bengals performance underscores the importance of discipline, as they committed eight penalties for 68 yards, a statistic that could prove detrimental in tighter regular-season games.

What’s new: Joe Burrow demonstrated his continued prowess as a quarterback, completing 9 of 10 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

• Despite a stellar overall performance, Burrow acknowledged he was not satisfied, labeling his effort as “average” and recognizing the need for improvement, particularly in minimizing errors.

Yes, but: While the offense showed promise, the defense struggled against explosive plays from the Eagles.

• Cincinnati's first-string defense allowed significant yardage, exposing vulnerabilities that could be exploited in the regular season.

By the numbers: The Bengals’ recent history indicates a troubling trend, as they have managed just one combined win in Weeks 1 and 2 since 2019.

• Last season, seven of their eight regular-season losses were by a margin of seven points or fewer, emphasizing the need for sharper execution in high-pressure situations.

What to watch: As the team moves forward, the focus will be on reducing procedural penalties and enhancing team discipline.

• Coach Zac Taylor highlighted the need for better team football, stating, "Those are all things that, as a team, we can't tolerate."

Our thought bubble: With Burrow as an MVP finalist last season and leading the NFL in passing yards, the Bengals are poised for success, but consistency is key.

• Players like Ja'Marr Chase, who recently received a contract extension, provide strong support, while others like Tee Higgins must improve their chemistry with Burrow to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

The bottom line: The Bengals have areas to address following their preseason opener. Finding a balance between individual talent and collective discipline will be critical as they prepare for a challenging regular season.