And his coach held out the possibility he might have a backup role for the Bengals’ playoff game. “He’s done well. Still, Andy Dalton is the Bengals’ quarterback and if he is healthy with work behind him, he will play”. With that said, we think that Pittsburgh has more momentum at this point and, frankly, a better overall roster.
Advertisement
“I’m doing treatments and rehab and trying to get back as soon as I can”, Dalton said, per Harvey.
His right thumb will likely prevent it. There could be a lot of points in this one, so we’d avoid this matchup for a D/ST. Instead, pick your offensive players in this one. Dalton was having an MVP-caliber season before injuring his thumb a few weeks ago, and his status is uncertain at best for this game against Pittsburgh. With McCarron under center, Cincinnati has gone 2-1 as he passed for 832 yards and six touchdowns.
Although Dalton got the cast removed on Monday, he has to rebuild the strength in his hand. As such, his odds of suiting up on Saturday still seem slim, especially if the Bengals are believers in The Curse of Playoff Andy Dalton. AJ is going to do a good job when things happen. Marvin Lewis, the head coach of the Bengals, might be on the hot seat again with another first round exit.
So can the Bengals win with McCarron at quarterback? Receiver Mohamed Sanu has taken snaps in wildcat formations and could be an emergency quarterback.
McCarron wasn’t sure if that mattered as much, though, other than the fact he will see Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler’s look for a second time in live action. “I’m excited, but now it’s time for the playoffs…”
Danny Cox knows a little something about the National Football League, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). “We get a chance to redeem ourselves”.
McCarron, in these three games, has four touchdowns and no interceptions. The only loss was to Denver in overtime on the road.
“It’s going to be kind of what we talked about with Martavis and just challenging each guy”, Ben said. They have a good sense of balance with running the ball and passing. “(The Ravens) were able to get a turnover on downs early and we allowed them to get a quick touchdown. Pittsburgh on the other hand is still led by the eternal thorn in the Bengals side, Ben Roethlisberger. We don’t want to have Rey Maualuga pitching the ball at the end of the game.
Notes: The Bengals have sold all of their single-game tickets for Saturday….
There was none of that Wednesday, when he stood around and watched rather than preparing to play. They signed LB Jayson DiManche to the practice squad.
What the Bengals do have going for them, though, is McCarron’s college pedigree. “After the (GMAC) game, I went under the stadium to the locker room, met his mom, his dad, his sister and him”, McCarron said.
Advertisement
“I remember him giving me a wristband and just how cool it was”, McCarron recalled Tuesday, per ESPN’s Coley Harvey. While Burfict apologized for the hit and said he was pushed into the quarterback, Roethlisberger didn’t buy it and said that it was an attempt to cause injury.
