### Bengals' Defense to Face Tough Challenge Against Philadelphia

The Cincinnati Bengals defense is set for a stern test against the high-powered offense of the Philadelphia Eagles, following victories over the less formidable Giants and Browns. These wins have served as confidence boosters for a Bengals defense that earlier struggled but is now showing signs of improvement.

Linebacker Germaine Pratt highlighted this defensive resurgence, attributing it to the return to health of key defensive line players. "I told everybody," Pratt said. "With our D-line back healthy and playing together, it's a better defense for us. Healthy guys can take on blocks and get off blocks, make plays, and sack the quarterback."

Pratt’s sentiments are echoed by defensive tackle BJ Hill, who also made his comeback from a hamstring injury at the same time as teammates Myles Murphy and McKinnley Jackson. This return of key defensive personnel coincides with the Bengals' strategic adjustments on offense amidst injuries and inconsistent performances.

In a noteworthy roster shift, the Bengals released struggling 2022 third-round pick Zach Carter. This move opened opportunities for players like Joseph Ossai and rookie Kris Jenkins, who have since entered the rotation. Defensive coordinator Anarumo praised Ossai’s recent performance against the Browns, describing it as his best game since joining the team. "He was impactful in the run game," said Anarumo. "He was around the quarterback and made significant plays."

Over the past two weeks, a deeper rotation has seen eight players logging between 75 percent and 25 percent of the snaps. Pratt noted the impact of this rotation: "You ain't got the younger guys taking all the plays. We got depth guys now." The improvement is evident in the reduction of missed tackles—just 10 over the past two weeks compared to an average of 10.2 per game in the first five weeks.

The stabilization extends to the secondary, where safeties Vonn Bell and Geno Stone have been consistent. Although not making splashy plays, their role in keeping the defense organized has been pivotal. Anarumo emphasized the importance of these "basic little things" and noted the potential impact if Stone, currently dealing with a shin injury, is unable to play.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s game against Philadelphia, the Bengals' defense will face a significant test. The outcome will reveal whether the improvements of recent weeks are sustainable against a substantially more challenging opponent. As Cincinnati works to recover from a rough 1-4 start, every game carries heightened importance.

"We're in playoff mode every week," Anarumo said. "We have to keep getting better, keep playing well, and give ourselves a chance to win."