Three weeks ago, Cincinnati Bengals backup quarterback AJ McCarron compared his situation to Tom Brady's when the future Hall of Fame quarterback was named the Patriots' starting QB 15 years ago. Much like Brady, McCarron was taking over for an injured, accomplished veteran with a propensity for losing big games. Andy Dalton fractured his thumb in a Week 14 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers and McCarron finished the contest.
Ravens vs. Bengals 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
AJ McCarron forgot that you need to come through in the clutch before comparing yourself to Tom Brady.
The Bengals dropped that tilt, but won their next game against the San Francisco 49ers. The stage was set for a crucial Monday night affair against the Denver Broncos, in which the Bengals could have set themselves up in position to secure a first-round playoff bye with a win.
But instead of coming through, McCarron choked. With the Bengals trailing in overtime, he fumbled a snap that Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Ware recovered to secure the victory. Cincinnati, which led 14-0 in the second quarter, only mustered three points in the second half. Apparently McCarron forgot about the prerequisite that anybody who compares himself to Brady must come through in the clutch.
But McCarron will have a chance to redeem himself. The Bengals still have a shot for a playoff bye, if they beat the Ravens and if the Broncos to lose to the Chargers. That would be huge for Cincinnati because Dalton isn’t expected to be back in time to play in the wild card round.
If the Bengals earn the No. 3, though, they'll find themselves in a familiar spot. They have lost in the wild card round for four straight years with Dalton and six times under head coach Marvin Lewis. Perhaps the most disheartening aspect of the Bengals' postseason futility is that the games aren't usually even close. Cincinnati has lost by two or more possessions in five of its six most recent playoff defeats.
The pressure on McCarron this January is greater than just getting the Bengals to the divisional round. The future state of the franchise likely depends on how he performs.
The pressure for Ryan Mallett on the other side of the field isn't nearly the same, though he's playing for the future as well. If Mallett impresses one week after leading the Ravens to a shocking victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, he would seemingly have the inside track to land a spot as the Ravens' backup quarterback next season.
Baltimore has been depleted by injuries in 2015, losing star pass rusher Terrell Suggs to injury in Week 1, No. 1 wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. in early November and franchise quarterback Joe Flacco in Week 11. Few teams would be able to crawl out of that hole.
If John Harbaugh and the Ravens can take solace in this season, it’s in the fact that they’ve competed in nearly every one of their games. All of Baltimore’s losses except the two most recent have been by one possession.
The Ravens can’t spoil the Bengals’ postseason plans, but they can send them to the playoffs riding a two-game losing streak. And if history is any indication, that streak will likely extend to three, regardless of who’s under center.
How to Watch
When: 1 p.m. ET
Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
TV: FOX
Commentators: Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Tony Siragusa
Online: NFL Live
See More:
