Andy Dalton breaks thumb as Cincinnati Bengals lose to Pittsburgh Steelers in NFL
Sunday 13 December 2015 23:11, UK
The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated Cincinnati 33-20 in a bad-tempered AFC North clash that saw Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton leave the game with a fractured thumb.
Dalton was injured while making a tackle on his interception, and the Steelers roughed up backup AJ McCarron while pulling away for a win that keeps them firmly in the AFC playoff picture.
The 28-year-old Dalton, who has never missed a start during his five-year NFL career, said he did not know how long the fracture would keep him out of action.
"I don't know any details on it. I will be seeing a specialist tomorrow and I'll find out more about it," the quarterback told reporters.
"It's unfortunate it happened at this time ... but I'm going to try to get back as quick as I can."
William Gay returned one of McCarron's passes 23 yards for a touchdown, and DeAngelo Williams ran for 76 yards and two touchdowns as the Steelers led from start to finish.
Several players from both teams took part in a bout of pushing and shoving before the game even started but when it came down to the real on-field action, it was the Steelers who had the edge.
Pittsburgh has now scored 30 points in five straight games, which is a franchise record.
The victory also took coach Mike Tomlin to 90 career wins with the Steelers, a mark he joins Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher on at the franchise.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton kept the only unbeaten NFL team on track by shutting out the Atlanta Falcons.
The NFC South division champions went to 13-0 as they outclassed the Falcons to win 38-0 to secure a first round bye in the play-offs.
Carolina dominated the opening quarter as running back Jonathan Stewart ran in a one-yard touchdown before Newton connected twice with wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr who ran in from 74 and 46 yards respectively.
The New Orleans Saints ended their four-game losing streak as quarterback Drew Brees went to 421 scoring touchdown passes with a 24-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Raymond James Stadium.
Jacksonville were emphatic 51-16 victors against Indianapolis and Seattle came out 35-6 winners over Baltimore.
There were also wins for Washington, Cleveland, Kansas City, New York Jets, St Louis and Philadelphia.
