But will a quarterback with just three full games on his résumé have what it takes to earn the Bengals’ first playoff win in over three decades?
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He was a hero after his strong performance led the Ravens to a 20-17 win against the hated Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.
The starting quarterback’s status for Saturday’s wild-card game against Pittsburgh is still unknown.
“All I know is focus on what I need to focus on”, McCarron said.
The Ravens liked the chances of cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb returning to their old forms this past summer, but that didn’t happen this season.
McCarron took over when Dalton got hurt against the Steelers and threw a pair of interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The team lost out on a first-round bye, so they have to play on Wildcard Weekend, and it does not look like Dalton will be ready in time. This is a game where Cincinnati’s defense can really shine due to the lack of health for the Patriots. Dalton fractured his thumb trying to make a tackle after throwing an interception against the Steelers in Week 14. “It’s a big component of the game of football”. The teams got into a scuffle on the field before the game, and had numerous personal fouls throughout it.
As AL.com reports, Lewis didn’t want to give the press any information about Dalton’s condition, and remained adamant that the Bengals were prepping to face the Steelers with McCarron taking the snaps.
Baltimore made it interesting late in the game, particularly when they were down by eight points and had the ball with under a minute to play.
In the second half, the Ravens had only one drive of nine plays and the Bengals outscored them, 17-7.
Tomlin was asked why he’s so sure about that being as it’s obvious both teams have issues with one another. “It’s time to right the ship, you know, an exorcism”.
Something that – when Pittsburgh can get out of its own way – makes the Steelers as risky as any team in the AFC. While Dalton, 28, hoped the cast immobilizing that finger would be removed, coach Marvin Lewis said he would not share the results of that evaluation.
At the exact moment he received the sweaty accessory, the young, sports-savvy McCarron considered it something of value.
McCarron thinks his bowl experience while winning two national titles at Alabama will help him in the playoffs.
The AFC North champions (12-4) are back in the playoffs for the fifth straight season, a run of success unmatched in club history.
The Ravens (5-11) completed a season that went sour early with close losses and more injuries than any other team in the league. They upset Pittsburgh the previous week, but couldn’t knock off another division rival. Jeremy Hill (96 yards, 16 carries, TD) broke through the pile and ran untouched for a score that upped the lead to 21-9, a play reminiscent of Charcandrick West’s run of the exact length in the Ravens’ loss to Kansas City.
BC: “In his two games against the Bengals this season, he had one with six receptions for 47 yards and seven receptions for 87 yards”. The question is will; injured running back DeAngelo Williams be ready to play against the Bengals?
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Mallett, making his second start, finished 30-of-56 passing for 292 yards.
