The offense had plenty of enough opportunities to do something in the second half. The Steelers offense is one of the best in the nfl. Even the Broncos, Seahawks, etc defenses wouldn't have been able to stop them with the offense going three and out every time. Shoot most teams probably give up tds and not field goals against that offense. There has only been 3 games all year when the steelers offense scored less than 24 and one came with Big Ben not playing, and the other came his first week back from the knee injury.

 

You act like it should have been easy to stop them even while the offense goes 3 and out. Even though the majority of teams in the nfl have done even worst against them. So even though the Bengals offense sucked, they kept holding the great steelers offense to only field goals.

 

The Bengals offense does anything and the steelers probably don't score even 20. So that means the offense and Dalton boy was a big part in that.

 

Where did I say that the offense in the 2nd half was good, remotely good? I said the stunk. I don't care if it is the Pats, I expect a 14 point lead to stand. As long as the offense doesn't give up scores to the other defense. I know you don't agree, so be it. You can set your own expectations.

While they were all FG's but one, the Bengals D gave up seven scores today. That's a lot.

First of all I don't have quite the same Dalton is plain horrible opinion as Hellbird lol but he is right. We have seen Dalton for 6 years now. So it's safe to say we know what he is. He has always struggled in prime time games, and playoff games. He has struggled against good teams with good defenses, and has always played bad against the Steelers.

 

However he has put up great numbers, and has beaten the teams he is suppose to beat the majority of his career. He has been the qb on 5 playoff teams. So he definitely is not the worst, he is probably safely around the 15 range.

 

Now with AJ McCarron we have a small sample size. He came in the first quarter against Steelers and actually had a better game against the steelers than a lot of games Dalton has had. He beat the 49ers who were bad like Dalton does. Against a great Broncos defense on the road in prime time with 2 seed on the line he got the Bengals out to a 14 to 0 lead. They then lost in OT. Then beat the Ravens which he was suppose to do. Then the playoff game he didn't have a great game, and most of the game struggled like Dalton does against the Steelers. However he did something we still haven't seen Dalton really do, and in only his 4th game starting. He overcame poor play early, and in the rain on prime time in the playoffs he made big time throws that should have won the game for them.

 

So while it's a small sample size he has shown the moment is not to big for him. He actually seems to love those moments. McCarron with a full sample size could show to be horrible. However his small sample shows those big moments big games he steps up, while 6 years of data shows the opposite in Dalton in similar type games.

It's not the praise of McCarron that bothers me. It's the pretense that Dalton is some sort of bum off the street when in reality he is an above average QB. He is not the reason they are losing games. He also isn't winning games with below average talent like Aaron Rodgers. But I don't think AJ McCarron is either. There are so many other problems with this team that the constant blame HB puts on Andy just seems like a cop out for the real problems.

It's not the praise of McCarron that bothers me. It's the pretense that Dalton is some sort of bum off the street when in reality he is an above average QB. He is not the reason they are losing games. He also isn't winning games with below average talent like Aaron Rodgers. But I don't think AJ McCarron is either. There are so many other problems with this team that the constant blame HB puts on Andy just seems like a cop out for the real problems.

 

THIS:thumb:

Agree with those who say the Bengals' "D" didn't lose this game. "O" does anything in the 2nd half and they win this game going away. Could have played better in the 2nd half and the undisciplined nature of Marvin's teams never helps. This game, like many in the Marvin era, was all too familiar:

 

ZERO halftime adjustments!!

 

NFL teams are close in talent level as we all know, and the ones that win consistently have a common thread or two--Great QB's (rare) & good coaching staffs, who actually adjust to what the opponents' game plan may be. The Bengals have neither, and haven't for decades!!

 

Marvin's reign needed to end years ago. I give him props for bringing the Bengals back from the depths of the league to competitive; but he's maxed out his abilities as the head man. Mikey can't go unfortunately, but maybe Katie & Co. can finally talk him into getting a real staff in here (and then keeping them); and then maybe the Who-Deys go from being the leagues premier "Teaser" to making a serious run again?

AD is horrible.

 

Dalton had 4 or 5 throws that where over thrown.

Dalton had 4 or 5 throws that where over thrown.

 

So did Ben, it wasn't exactly a balmy day out there.

This game would have been a blow out if the Steelers field goals where tds.

Yep 6 years of games to prove that to be true for Dalton and 4 for AJ. Yet in those 4, AJ looked much better dealing with the big pressure moments than Dalton, and he actually made the throws when it counted that should have won the game.

 

The book on Dalton can be more in pen, because we have 6 years of seeing it and knowing what to expect. With AJ we don't know, it could be bad. I do think his demeanor for the bigger moments is better in the Big stage and big games.

 

Take a look at that Pittsburgh game. He had very few reps in practice all year, his first NFL action and he put up better numbers than Dalton has in a lot of games against the Steelers.

 

Half his yards came in garbage time in the Pit game. He threw 2 picks in that game including a pick 6. He also had 150 yards in garbage time including going 8-8 for 75 yards when Pit had a 20 point lead with 2 mins to go in game.

 

He was decent in Denver game other than losing the fumble on the snap in OT that cost them the game.

 

And he wasn't very good in the Pit playoff game, though he gave them a chance to win.

This game would have been a blow out if the Steelers field goals where tds.

 

Most of them were 40+ yards--Hardly realistic??

It's not the praise of McCarron that bothers me. It's the pretense that Dalton is some sort of bum off the street when in reality he is an above average QB. He is not the reason they are losing games. He also isn't winning games with below average talent like Aaron Rodgers. But I don't think AJ McCarron is either. There are so many other problems with this team that the constant blame HB puts on Andy just seems like a cop out for the real problems.

Again, show me AD's record against winning teams.

 

Just show me that record. I think the cop out is everytone Dalton falls on his face you all have a sack full of excuses for him. The reality is he stinks.

Half his yards came in garbage time in the Pit game. He threw 2 picks in that game including a pick 6. He also had 150 yards in garbage time including going 8-8 for 75 yards when Pit had a 20 point lead with 2 mins to go in game.

 

He was decent in Denver game other than losing the fumble on the snap in OT that cost them the game.

 

And he wasn't very good in the Pit playoff game, though he gave them a chance to win.

Wow. You want to talk about garbage time. Look at Daltons yards this year. Most of his yards came when we were already out of the game. Don't use garbage time as an excuse for one and ignore the garbage time for the other.

 

 

How can you say he wasn't very good in the playoff game? The OC did what they did with him in every game with him, handcuff him and play ultra conservative until we were behind and then they let him go and what did he do in the playoff game? Came back from 17 pts down. He outplayed every playoff game dalton ever played in in just that one.

Where did I say that the offense in the 2nd half was good, remotely good? I said the stunk. I don't care if it is the Pats, I expect a 14 point lead to stand. As long as the offense doesn't give up scores to the other defense. I know you don't agree, so be it. You can set your own expectations.

 

I'm saying even the Pat's, Seahawks, etc probably give up a 14 point lead when the offense goes 3 and out all 2nd half. You said this lost was clearly on the defense, yet keep failing to realize a big reason for that was our offense and Dalton. The Pat's don't blow that lead because their offense wouldn't suck all 2nd half, same with other top teams. Their defenses don't blow 14 point leads because their offense also helps them out.

 

The Bengals had a whole 38 yards total offense in the second half with an interception too. The Bengals offense has scored 1 td in the 4th quarter in their last 8 games. Dalton is ranked as the 25th qb in the nfl in qb play in the 4th quarter this year. It's no coincidence the Bengals have lost 4 games in the 4th quarter this year.

 

I agree the defense could have stepped up and got a stop. However I am more on the realizing the majority of defenses in the nfl would have a hard time doing that against the Steelers offense, when the offense puts them on the field all game. Then even with all that the Bengals tied for holding the Steelers to their 4th lowest point total all year. So yeah I put this more on the offense.

It's not the praise of McCarron that bothers me. It's the pretense that Dalton is some sort of bum off the street when in reality he is an above average QB. He is not the reason they are losing games. He also isn't winning games with below average talent like Aaron Rodgers. But I don't think AJ McCarron is either. There are so many other problems with this team that the constant blame HB puts on Andy just seems like a cop out for the real problems.

 

THIS:thumb:

 

I agree it's not all just Dalton and why I said I don't share the whole Dalton is horrible. However I am with him in wondering if we can ever get over the top with Dalton. The book on him has been the same for 6 years. Beat the bad teams, but struggled against the good teams, especially under the spot light. Dalton needs a lot to go right around him to do well.

 

In the playoffs, even the teams who get carried by great defenses still had to have a qb who could make the plays when it counts. In the biggest moments against good teams we still have rarely seen Dalton do that. Which just like you all use numbers to support him, numbers also support his troubles in the moments I mentioned.

 

It almost is an impossible spot to be in. Dalton is not horrible all day can win many games with him. However may never be able to get over the hump with him.

 

I won't sit here and say McCarron would do great, because no one really knows. However what he did in that playoff game really impressed me. In only his 4th start, under the lights, in the playoffs, in the rain against the steelers. All these Dalton has struggled with, McCarron never seemed to get rattled even after not playing well for 3 quarters, he bounced back in the 4th to lead them and should have had a game winning td pass. He made a play when the team had to have it. Which is what you need a qb to do in the playoffs.

I think we can all agree on one thing... no matter what side of the Dalton argument you agree with...

AJ McCarron will NEVER be the starting QB for the Cincinnati Bengals as long as Dalton is healthy...

 

I'm a Dalton supporter for the most part, but even if I weren't... it's a waste of time to worry about it...

 

He's still young, has a big contract and has been very durable so far as an NFL starting QB...

Dalton will be the starting QB for at least 4 more seasons... probably more...

So, McCarron is a waste of time discussion... AJ is on his way out of here, like it or not.

I for one like AJ a lot and wish him luck on his next team unless they're playing the Bengals.