Eagles shove aside injuries, in-house dissention to celebrate 10-game winning streak

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley both played through injuries that served more as minor inconveniences than long-term concerns for the Eagles.

Injuries heal.

So, it turns out, do bruised egos and hard feelings caused by criticism and gossip spread not by fans, social media tolls or sports talk radio — but from inside Philadelphia's locker room.

Hurts connected with wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith for touchdowns and the Eagles put to rest any in-house dissention over their offense in Sunday's 27-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Eagles (12-2) won their 10th straight game, a franchise record. A victory this weekend at Washington would give them the NFC East title, and they moved into a tie with Detroit for the best record in the conference.

With three games left, the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye are still in play. All they need to do is stay healthy.

Hurts said he played through a broken finger on his non-throwing hand while Barkley, the NFL's rushing leader, said he battled “a little something” against the Steelers that forced him to the medical tent.

When the Eagles are on the same page, injuries might be the only thing that can slow them down.

“I just felt extremely locked in and focused through the entire week, through what could have been a time where people could say, ‘What’s going on over in Philadelphia?'” coach Nick Sirianni said.

Smith and Brown both grumbled about the state of the passing game following a lackluster effort a week earlier against Carolina. Defensive end Brandon Graham then suggested in a radio appearance there were problems between Hurts and Brown.

After they thumped Pittsburgh, the Eagles acted like one big happy family in the locker room.

“Behind closed doors, we talk about that, we called each other out,” Brown said. “That's very uncomfortable. You don't want to feel like you're getting attacked. We're trying to get on the same page. We're trying to win.”

The passing game. Brown had eight catches for 110 yards, and Smith had 11 for 109 yards a week after they combined for only eight catches and 80 yards. Hurts finished with 290 yards passing and two touchdowns.

“I asked the question to everyone. ‘Hey, we’re going to have to go do this together.’ Started with that, and then I said, ‘Let’s not forget to keep the main thing the main thing,'” Hurts said. “I said, ‘You do know what the main thing is, right?’ And they were spot on. So we can’t forget that. And it takes everyone to win. And it can look a ton of different ways.”

The Eagles could use some assistance from the NFC North. Detroit and Minnesota each need to lose another game and Philadelphia must run the table to clinch the No. 1 seed.

Sirianni. It was no surprise that his game plan called for early throws to Brown and Smith that could quiet the talk both inside and outside the locker room.

“We threw for more yards, so I know that’s going to be, hell, the passing game is back. I don’t think the passing game was anywhere,” Sirianni said. “I think it’s been a little bit blown out of proportion because of how efficient we’ve been.”

Philly fans who love to complain. Like touting Wawa over Sheetz or cheesesteaks over Primanti's, they even got to boast about their superiority against Pittsburgh.

Hurts and the Eagles gave the fans nothing to whine about. Well, give it a day.

Barkley didn't show much concern over whatever ailed him against the Steelers. He was drilled in the right knee by Pittsburgh’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and then landed on his right shoulder late in the first quarter. He rushed two times for 3 yards after the hit, then didn’t have another carry until after halftime.

Barkley said his right knee was fine and he was not injured on Fitzpatrick’s hit.

“Nothing crazy. Little minor,” Barkley said. “Get ready for next week.”

12 — The Eagles are 12-2 or better through 14 games for only the fourth time in team history — 2022 (13-1), 2017 (12-2) and 2004 (13-1). This is the seventh time Philadelphia has won 12-plus games (also 1980, 2002-04, 2017 and 2022).

Sirianni is the second coach in franchise history to record multiple 12-plus-win seasons (he went 14-3 in 2022), joining Andy Reid (three, 2002-04). He is the first Eagles coach to do so within his first four years.

The Eagles will try to wrap up the division title when they visit the Commanders (9-5).

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Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr., center, reacts after he recovered a fumble during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) is tackled after a catch by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and Steelers' Cameron Sutton (20) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) is tackled after a catch by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and Steelers' Cameron Sutton during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs with the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) tries to stop him during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Dean Lowry (94) as he loses his helmet during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson embrace after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts greets Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

CINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Burrow keeps throwing touchdown passes and the Cincinnati Bengals have won two in a row for just the second time this season.

However, the star quarterback was far from happy with the effort.

“It was too sloppy, we had too many penalties, too many procedural penalties, I had too many turnovers,” Burrow said after Cincinnati beat the Tennessee Titans 37-27 on Sunday. “It was just a frustrating day on offense.”

It certainly was a messy affair. There were myriad turnovers, including two interceptions thrown by Burrow, and penalties galore. The Bengals (6-8) were flagged 14 times.

The combined 10 turnovers were the most in an NFL game since 2007. And it was the first NFL game since 2000 to feature at least 10 turnovers and at least 25 penalties.

A meaningless touchdown for the Titans at the end of the game made it seem closer than it was. Cincinnati had carried a 17-point into the fourth quarter.

“To be honest with you, we weren’t playing good ball today,” running back Chase Brown said. “I mean, defense backed us up there a couple of times, got us back on the field. So big tribute to them. Outside of that, we could have been a lot better. We put some points on the board, but when we watch the film, there’s got to be a lot to learn from.”

The win kept the Bengals' slim playoff hopes alive, but just barely. They would likely have to win their three remaining games and get a lot of help from other teams. They are on the bubble with two other 6-8 teams.

Burrow continues to have a terrific season whether the Bengals win or not. Against the Titans, he was 26 for 37 for 271 yards and three touchdowns. He became the fifth NFL quarterback with at least three touchdown passes in six consecutive games. He's in good company. The others are Tom Brady (10 in 2007), Andrew Luck (8 in 2018), Peyton Manning (8 in 2004) and Dan Marino (7 from 1986-87). Burrow's 36 touchdown passes this season broke his previous franchise record of 35 from 2022. ... WR Ja'Marr Chase became the first NFL receiver this season with 100 catches.

Besides throwing two picks, Burrow lost a fumble to Tennessee. The Bengals' 14 penalties cost them 113 yards. The have a combined 35 penalties in the past three games, for a whopping 294 yards.

Bengals DE Sam Hubbard lined up as an eligible receiver on offense and caught a 2-yard TD pass from Burrow late in the first half. In doing so, he became the first defensive player in Bengals history with a receiving TD, the first defensive player in the league with a receiving TD this season, and the first Bengals defender with a scrimmage TD since 1962, when DB Bobby Hunt had a rushing touchdown.

Safety Jordan Battle scooped up a Titans fumble and ran it back for what would have been a 61-yard touchdown had he not fumbled the ball as he crossed the goal line. The ball bounced out of the back of the end zone and became a touchback.

Hubbard left the game with a knee injury after catching the TD pass. ... OL Cody Ford, who was the replacement for the injured Orlando Brown Jr., was a late scratch due to illness.

1,413 — Chase's receiving yards this season. He also leads the league in receptions (102) and touchdowns (15).

The Bengals have a chance at a season sweep when the struggling Cleveland Browns (3-11) visit Cincinnati on Sunday.

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) dives for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) points as he runs towards the endzone to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)