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The Cincinnati Bengals have an elephant in the room and there is no need for introductions. In four playoff games under the command of Andy Dalton, the Bengals have failed to secure a win. The absence of playoff success has fans frustrated.
But what if the Bengals already have their answer to their playoff woes? Would the Bengals pull the trigger?
With this question comes good news and bad news.
The good news is that the Bengals already have their answer to their playoff woes in 2014 selection AJ McCarron. The bad news is that while they have been impressed with McCarron, they are not ready to just hand over the reins to him.
McCarron, who was a fifth-round selection in the 2014 draft, was physically unable to perform to start the season which led him to limited reps with team. Despite losing his rookie season to injury, McCarron has shown enough improvement over the offseason to be slated to be Dalton’s backup.
While Dalton’s contract solidifies him as the team’s starter the next two seasons, McCarron would be the better way to go.
Dalton has proven to crumble under the lights in big-stage games. In four playoff games he has accumulated the following stat line:
4 games / 0-4 record / 55.69 Comp. percentage / 873 yards / 1 TD / 5 INTs
McCarron, however, has proven to be effective in games big-stage games in his playing career.
2 games / 2-0 record / 69.35 Comp. percentage / 498 yards / 4 TDs / 0 INTs
While McCarron played in two fewer games, he competed in the biggest game in college football twice and won both contests, proving that he can handle the pressure that comes with big-stage games.
Finally the biggest concern with Dalton is regarding his lack of success given the plethora of weapons he has around him. McCarron, on the other hand, has played with talent equivalent to the weapons he would have if he took charge of the Bengals’ offense. In the end, if the Bengals want to see any playoff success they need to have a “changing of the guards” and give McCarron the keys to the offense.
Chad Troyan is a baseball writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChadTroyan15, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
