CINCINNATI — Terrell Owens isn't acting his age.

The 36-year-old receiver has put some bite back into the Cincinnati Bengals' offense, bringing them a big-play threat that was missing during their AFC North championship season last year.

And he's not at all surprised.

Owens caught a 43-yard pass along the sideline Friday night, setting up the starting offense's only touchdown during a 22-9 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Eagles that showed he's still got a lot left.

"I'm very talented, I keep myself in shape," Owens said. "So everybody can think I've slowed down. If they want to play me like that, that's fine."

The Eagles couldn't keep up.

Owens caught a perfect throw from Carson Palmer along the right sideline, stretching over Joselio Hanson to pull it in before going out of bounds at the 6-yard line. Bernard Scott ran it in on the next play for a 7-6 halftime lead.

Owens had three catches for 67 yards in the first half, and ran 1 yard on a reverse. He's been the Bengals' top receiver in three preseason games even though he's still learning the play book.

Cincinnati signed him to a one-year deal as training camp opened with receiver Antonio Bryant sidelined by a troublesome left knee. Palmer worked out with Owens on the West Coast in July, saw that he could still run and urged the Bengals to bring him aboard, giving him another playmaker.

That one play showed why.

"That's what they brought me here for, right? Deep threat," Owens said. "Beat your guy, get down the field, make the catch. We've got it all in our arsenal."