PHILADELPHIA — One Pennsylvania team down, one to go for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Andy Dalton threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score, an opportunistic defense forced five turnovers and Cincinnati beat the Philadelphia Eagles 34-13 on Thursday night.

The Bengals (8-6) took a half-game lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) for the last playoff spot in the AFC. But their game at Pittsburgh next week is far more important in the standings than this one.

The Bengals would clinch their second straight playoff berth with a win over the Steelers if Pittsburgh loses to Dallas this Sunday. A loss to the Steelers, though, likely would ruin Cincinnati's chances.

"We've got nothing to celebrate here," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "But we won and we do have some time to get ready for Pittsburgh."

The Eagles' season was lost a long time ago. They fell to 4-10, losing double-digit games for the first time since 2005, the year after losing the Super Bowl to New England.

An interception by Leon Hall set up Dalton's go-ahead 11-yard TD run in the third quarter. Then Wallace Gilberry picked up Bryce Brown's fumble and ran it back 25 yards for another score and an 11-point lead.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for 106 yards, including a 1-yard TD run in the first quarter for Cincinnati. Dalton tossed a 5-yard TD pass to A.J. Green in the fourth to cap a 24-point outburst in a span of 3:23.

Notes

• New Orleans Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt said witnesses in the NFL's bounty investigation of the team lied about him and the organization, and that their stories might change in federal court. He was alluding to a defamation lawsuit filed by Saints linebacker Jon Vilma against NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, which is pending in New Orleans.

• Jets coach Rex Ryan said backup quarterback Tim Tebow, recovering from two broken ribs, will be active Monday night at Tennessee.

• Deion Branch is back at his Patriots locker where his nameplate never was removed after the two times the team released him this season. The former Seahawks wide receiver re-signed with New England after missing the past four games.

• Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant said he will play with a broken finger Sunday against Pittsburgh and there are signs that it might not be wishful thinking.

• Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey expects Nick Barnett (knee) to play against Seattle on Sunday despite holding the starting linebacker out from practice for a second straight day.

• Quarterback Robert Griffin III moved better on his sprained right knee at practice, apparently improving his chances of playing in the Washington Redskins' game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

• Giants starting right cornerback Prince Amukamara (hamstring) missed practice and could miss New York's game at Atlanta on Sunday.