Cincinnati Bengals fans are likely cursing themselves today for ever even suggesting that their postseason prospects might look better if quarterback Andy Dalton, who has spent the last few years unintentionally developing a reputation as a playoff "choker," weren't around to ruin them. With Dalton's injury during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bengals fans may get their unwanted wish. According to reports, from ESPN's Bob Holtzman and Adam Schefter, Dalton's season is likely done. The question now becomes - can he make it back for the playoffs?
Immediately after the game, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said Dalton would almost certainly miss Cincinnati's upcoming game against the San Francisco 49ers. Dalton, speaking to reports with a cast on, freely admitted that he had been told there was a broken bone in his thumb.
Per Holtzman, the best-case scenario at this point is for Dalton, who was enjoying a career year and looked well on his way to finally dispelling that postseason choke job narrative, is to return for the playoffs.
But if Schefter's report is accurate - he spoke with Dr. Mark Adickes, who is an orthopedic surgeon and ESPN's resident medical expert - even the playoffs may be a stretch.
In speaking with @jocktodoc, he believes Bengals QB Andy Dalton is out a minimum of four weeks, with six weeks more likely.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 14, 2015
The Bengals, despite their 10-3 record, have not yet clinched a playoff berth, though they're all-but assured an invitation at this point. If Dalton misses only four weeks and the Bengals don't get a first-round bye, he could be back in time for the team's opening round playoff game.
But that's the optimistic estimate. If he misses closer to six weeks, he could be out for more than the playoff's first-round, which could mean the end of the Bengals' season before Dalton's able to return to health and the field.
In his stead on Sunday, backup AJ McCarron had an up-and-down day. He tossed two touchdowns - one of which wide receiver AJ Green turned into a score almost all on his own - and finished with a 90.6 quarterback rating. But McCarron also threw two interceptions and looked very much like a guy coming in cold off the bench that hadn't played meaningful snaps this year. It was a far cry from Dalton, who has been red hot this year with 25 touchdowns, 3,250 yards and a season quarterback rating of 106.3.
If the Bengals are to take that all-important next step into the latter portion of the NFL playoffs, they'll need Dalton under center. And while he and the team await the opinion of a hand specialist Monday, the tenor of immediate reports suggest the Bengals may be forced to forge on ahead without their franchise signal-caller.
