Relying, as usual, on the passing game, two drives stalled deep in Bengals territory. Quarterback Kevin Kolb and the starting offense produced just six points from David Akers, matching the red-zone problems that showed up in the Eagles' first preseason game against the Jaguars.
Also worrisome was a left shoulder contusion suffered by Jeremy Maclin, who left the game in the second quarter. But X-rays on Maclin were negative, and Reid said, "He should be OK."
One potential touchdown was wiped out by an illegal formation penalty on tackle Jason Peters.
"We just have to execute in the red zone. I missed a throw there in the end zone, and we also had that penalty cost us," Kolb said in comments distributed by the Eagles. "I think we did some good things. It was a positive day, but we have to start fine-tuning those details."
The Eagles' best chance came late in the second quarter, when they advanced to the 7-yard line. The lack of a traditional running game, though, was apparent. On first down, McCoy took a direct snap and was stopped for no gain. The next three plays were passes. One that went to Jason Avant would have been a score if not for the Peters penalty. The other two were to receivers outside the end zone as the Bengals sat back in coverage.
In the middle of the field, Kolb and the offense advanced the ball well but almost exclusively through the air. DeSean Jackson had four catches for 74 yards, and Kolb was 11 for 17 for 126 yards passing.
But Kolb's accuracy dipped when he approached the end zone. On one drive, he missed three consecutive passes from the Bengals' 22, overthrowing an open Avant in the end zone on second down and throwing into traffic on third, allowing Bengals safety Rico Murray to get two hands on the ball.
