The Cincinnati Bengals lost starting quarterback Andy Dalton for the game and for the upcoming week with a fractured thumb. I've already written about how the loss of Dalton negatively affects the Patriots chances of winning the top seed in the AFC.
Well, don't tell that to Dalton's back-up and replacement A.J. McCarron.
Wow. AJ McCarron says "Tom Brady was in the same situation." #wallypipp
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) December 13, 2015
Oh yeah. The Bengals back-up quarterback just evoked the legend of Thomas Patrick Edward Brady Jr.
Is Dalton is jeopardy of losing his job? McCarron doesn't want to live the life of a back-up anymore and tossed 22 completions on 32 attempts for 280 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
With that sort of performance, Dalton should feel, well, pretty okay. But McCarron could improve over the next couple of weeks and if Dalton misses time and the playoffs, and McCarron wins a playoff game, all bets are off.
You know who else road the coattails of Tom Brady for major contracts and a lengthy career?
Matt Cassel re-energized today after realizing that Tom Brady was in this exact situation once.
— Kevin Clark (@KevinClarkWSJ) December 13, 2015
Amazing.
And if you're wondering about the state of the AFC, the following tweet should offer some solace.
All that stands between the Patriots and the Super Bowl are Brock Osweiler, AJ McCarron and Charlie Whitehurst
— Bobby Big Wheel (@BobbyBigWheel) December 13, 2015
Let's go.