It was a preseason game where nothing was supposed to matter, though it did matter to a bunch of guys competing for spots on the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles.

It means a talent-rich team is even deeper.

Tanner McKee looked very good, as did right guard Tyler Steen, running back Will Shipley, receivers Ainias Smith and Darius Cooper, and rookie defensive tackle Ty Robinson. It added up to a 34-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, who went with their offensive starters on their first two drives against the Eagles’ second defense, on Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field.

There was a pinch of bad, a pinch of ugly and a wealth of good in the Eagles’ opening 34-27 preseason win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Quarterback Tanner McKee looked good directing the Eagles 75 yards over nine plays for a touchdown on the Eagles’ opening drive. McKee was a perfect 2-for-2 for 27 yards and scored on a Brotherly Shove. He continues to show he has a command of the offense and is a very viable back-up to Jalen Hurts. McKee closed the first half completing 14 of 17 for 193 yards, with one bad throw. He threw for two touchdowns and scored on a Brotherly Shove play. He directed two scores in the last 2:46 of the half. Over six drives, McKee directed the Eagles to three touchdowns and two field goals, with one punt. He ended the night completing 20 of 25 for 252 yards and two touchdown passes.

Right guard Tyler Steen’s block on Bengals’ first-team linebacker Logan Wilson, steering him inside, creating a gaping hole on Will Shipley’s 38-yard run on the Eagles’ opening possession.

Running back Will Shipley proving he has the wheels to be a capable backup to Saquon Barkley. His 38-yard first-quarter run was reminiscent of his torrid run in the NFC championship game against Washington. His night ended with 48 yards on seven carries.

Cornerback Adoree Jackson coming up to take down Sydney Brown’s twin brother Chase on a second-and-4 from the Eagles’ 46 on the Bengals’ second drive. Jackson, showing his veteran savvy, read the play and made the tackle.

Kicker Jake Elliott’s 44-yard field goal in the first quarter. It was encouraging to see Elliott kick to the form that the Eagles have grown accustomed to seeing. Elliott went on to kick a 23-yarder in the third quarter.

Rookie defensive tackle Ty Robinson with an 8-yard sack on a second-and-9 at the Eagles’ 46 on the Bengals’ third drive. The fourth-round pick out of Nebraska had solid penetration and did a reasonable job fighting off blocks.

Receiver Ainias Smith’s 46-yard punt return to set up the Eagles’ third touchdown in the first half. Smith made a nice TD catch coming across the middle of the field with 2:46 left in the half.

Receiver Darius Cooper’s diving touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone with :10 left in the first half. Cooper came up with another impressive catch on a 15-yard reception cutting across the field early in the third quarter on a third-and-11 to the Bengals’ 40. On the same drive, McKee hit Cooper on a fourth-and-2 for six yards. On a second-and-goal from the Bengals’ 14, Cooper rose again, making a 10-yard reception. Cooper had three catches for 31 yards on the drive, which resulted in an Elliott 23-yard field goal and a 27-14 Eagles’ lead. Cooper showed great hands and great body control making a team-high six catches on seven targets for 82 yards and a touchdown.

Running back A.J. Dillon ran strong, picking up 27 yards on five carries.

Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. making a team-high six tackles, showing a great ability to read plays, meet the ballcarrier at the line of scrimmage, drop back into coverage and continue to prove he is a viable NFL linebacker.

Receiver Johnny Wilson came up with two nice catches, high pointing both balls and caught a total of three passes for 73 yards, averaging a team-high 24.3 yards a catch.

Linebacker Patrick Johnson had an interception late in the third quarter, just after he had a sack negated by an Eagles’ penalty. He was cut and picked up by the New York Giants last season, and if he does not make the Eagles again this season, he certainly has some great tape from this game.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo did well in his first game as a play caller, dialing up an offense that produced 34 points and 434 yards of offense. The Eagles did not have personnel issues on offense, converted 23 first downs and averaged 6.1 yards a play.

Cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields broke up a couple of passes, made a big play and was there in the end, defending the Bengals’ last play.

The Eagles were flagged 10 times for 80 yards.

Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson missing an open Johnny Wilson midway through the third quarter. Wilson was open and DTR overthrew him.

Cornerback Eli Ricks dropping a sure interception in the last minute of the first half.

Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson thundering through Eagles’ rookie linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. and rookie nickelback Mac McWilliams. Not a good preseason start for a pair of fifth-round picks.

Rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell getting flagged for illegal use of hands on a third-and-1 from the Eagles’ 43. The call was marked off at the 41 and gave Cincinnati a first down on its second drive. Call it a learning moment for the first-round pick.

Jackson getting burned on a 21-yard pass from Jake Browning to Charlie Jones early in the second quarter on a first-and-10 at the Bengals’ 32. The ball was underthrown, and Jackson was nowhere near Jones on the catch.

Tight end Grant Calcaterra’s drop on a third-and-5at the Bengals’ 26 on the Eagles’ second drive. McKee rolled right and found Calcaterra on the sideline, and the ball went right through his hands.

Cornerback Kelee Ringo’s terrible angle on Ja’Marr Chase on the Bengals’ second drive. Chase turned the Ringo mistake into a 36-yard touchdown reception and a 14-7 Bengals’ lead. On the play, Ringo did not use the sideline, allowing Chase to cut up field when he stepped inside the receiver. It turned into a very easy touchdown. The Eagles were in a blitz. Ringo did not crowd Chase, giving him way too much respect.

The Eagles defense on the opening series. Okay, granted, it was Cincinnati’s ones against the Eagles’ second defense, but Eagles’ defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is an old-school guy who expects every player to uphold a standard. This group didn’t. The Bengals needed to 10 plays to travel 71 yards over 5 minutes, 4 seconds to take a 7-0 lead with the opening kickoff. The Eagles hardly had a pass rush. The Bengals averaged 8.6 yards a play. Joe Burrow had a lot of fun, sitting back completing six of his first seven, and Ja’Marr Chase showed why he is among the best receivers—if not the best—in the NFL.

Safety Sydney Brown still needs to attack ball carriers at better angles. On a second-and-two at the Eagles’ 46, the Bengals went to Chase on a screen to the left. Brown read it perfectly and attacked. The problem was, he took an angle too inside, got caught in a block and failed to make the play. Brown has great ability and great instincts. The reason why he did not get more time last year was what unfolded on that play.