AJ McCarron ready to save the Cincinnati Bengals' season
Monday 14 December 2015 17:57, UK
Back-up quarterback AJ McCarron is confident he can save the Cincinnati Bengals’ season if starter Andy Dalton is ruled out for the rest of the year.
Dalton suffered a fractured thumb in Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Bengals are uncertain how long he will miss, with a best-case scenario believed to be a return for the play-offs.
McCarron, who had attempted four career passes prior to replacing Dalton against Pittsburgh, went 22/32 for 280 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the 20-33 loss.
The 25-year-old, who won three BCS National Championship titles with Alabama, insists he has what it takes to lead a Bengals team that was considered a strong Super Bowl contender with Dalton under center.
"You have to embrace it. I love it. You have to love pressured moments," McCarron said.
"That's where the great ones really shine. I guess Tom Brady was in the same situation when he had the opportunity.
"I've got to make the most of it and do my job each week. I know we have an unbelievable defence and if we don't turn the ball over we have a great chance. Like I said, I promise to God I will work my tail off and be ready to go."
Head coach Marvin Lewis watched his team surrender their grip on the No 1 seed for the AFC play-offs with the loss but he is confident the Bengals' season will not be derailed by Dalton's injury.
"We've been so impressed with [McCarron], and now he's got to lead us for however long," Lewis said of the 2014 fifth-round pick. "This is why we have him. This is why we drafted him.
"This kid has a great personality. He's got the guys in the building's confidence."
