Monday Night Football highlights: Eagles thump Bucs, Bengals outlast Rams

National Football League

Updated Sep. 25, 2023 11:31 p.m. ET

Week 3 of the NFL season comes to a close Monday with a matchup of two undefeated teams.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) hosted the Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) and the home team suffered its first loss of the season, while the Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) collected their first win of the season against the Los Angeles Rams (1-2).

Here are the top moments!

Cincinnati Bengals 19, Los Angeles Rams 16

Tutu!

Tutu Atwell is fast. The Rams second-rounder in 2021 flashed his dazzling speed on this end around, and just missed the pylon. L.A. settled for three on the drive to take an early edge.

Number 99

The Bengals offense looked shaky at the start of the game, but that was thanks in part to L.A.’s defense, and the big man in the middle, Aaron Donald.

Flashing the stripes

Logan Wilson is the heart and soul of the Bengals defense, and he came up with a big takeaway late in the first half to stall L.A.’s drive.

Storming ahead

The Bengals offense looked like a different unit to open the second half, and Joe Mixon got his name in the TD column with a 14-yard TD to put Cincinnati up 13-9.

Have a day!

Wilson kept the vibes going in the second half, picking off Stafford for the second time. And Cincy’s defense was ready for the occasion with some brilliant dance moves to celebrate the play.

Chase me if you can

When in doubt, throw it to Ja’Marr Chase. This clever pitch-and-catch was good for 43 yards, and helped Cincy go up 16-9 on a field goal.

Snatched!

This may have been the catch of the night, and it was made by a defender. Ahkello Witherspoon made a heck of an effort play to make this interception, but the Rams offense was unable to capitalize on the turnover.

Not over yet!

Down 19-9, Stafford made a slew of tough plays to close the gap to three, including tossing a 37-yard strike to Puka Nacua. Los Angeles was not able to get the onside kick attempt though, and Cincinnati earned its first win of the season.

PREGAME SCENE

Philadelphia Eagles 25, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11

Star power

Hurts came out strong with back-to-back passes to star receiver A.J. Brown to move the sticks.

Denied!

The Eagles ended up turning the ball over on downs on their opening drive after a strong effort from the Bucs defense.

On the move

Eagles WR Britain Covey returned the Bucs’ punt 52 yards to put Philly in great field position to start its second drive, which ended with a field goal to put the visiting team ahead 3-0 going into the second quarter.

No cigar!

The Bucs offense got things rolling in the second quarter. Baker Mayfield took his team into the red zone on a 69-yard drive, and very nearly threw his first TD pass of the night on this floater to Mike Evans. But Sydney Brown swooped in for an impressive diving stop to hold Tampa to three.

Buying time

Few quarterbacks are as savvy in the pocket as Hurts is, and he bought himself some extra time to throw after sensing pressure, before uncorking a dime to Olamide Zaccheaus for his first Eagles TD.

Blanketed

Reed Blankenship has been stellar in his 2023 debut. He added an interception to his stat line toward the end of the second quarter, forcing Mayfield’s first giveaway of the season.

Batten down the hatches

The Bucs defense has been one of the best in the league the past few seasons, and its anchor Devin White showed why, picking off Hurts in return just seconds later.

Anything you can do …

Georgia rookie Jalen Carter has been everywhere in his first few games, and the big interior defensive lineman forced his first career fumble with this tremendous hustle play. The turnover led to another Eagles field goal, and they took a 13-3 lead into halftime.

Get Swiftie with it

After rushing for a career-high 175 yards last week, D’Andre Swift continued to run rampant against Tampa, and even hurdled a few obstacles in the process. This big run set up Philly’s famous “tush push” play, which gave it a 20-3 lead.

Toe tap!

Dee Delaney doesn’t play much, but he stepped in for an injured Jamel Dean to make a tough interception near the end zone on a deep shot.

Two hands for safety

The Bucs’ elation was short-lived, as Nicholas Morrow plowed his way into the backfield to force a safety. The Eagles added another field goal to their tally to take a 25-3 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Fly like Mike

Mike Evans has been getting rarified air for a long time, and he showed he’s still got it with a pair of impressive grabs to bring Tampa within 14.

PREGAME

Setting the stage

The Eagles were victorious in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, 34-28, while the Bucs took down the Chicago Bears 27-17 in their Week 2 contest. In its past five head-to-head bouts, Philly has taken down Tampa Bay three times.

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