Peter King: Andy Dalton 'optimistic' on returning next Sunday

[katmandu]

http://pit.247sports.com/Bolt/Peter-King-Andy-Dalton-optimistic-on-returning-next-Sunday-42529785



Andy Dalton gave an indication of his plans for next Sunday's playoff game against the Steelers.During the Packers vs. Vikings game on Sunday Night Football, NBC stated Peter King's report that the Bengals' quarterback is "optimistic" that he will return for the Cincinnati's playoff matchup with the Steelers next Sunday.

Dalton broke the right thumb on his throwing hand during the Bengals' 33-20 loss to Pittsburgh back in Week 14. He hasn't played since, as backup AJ McCarron (http://247sports.com/Player/AJ-McCarron-10710) has gone 2-1 as the Bengals finished with a 12-4 record. And despite its Week 17 win over the Ravens, Cincinnati was unable to make up ground in the AFC playoff standings, as the third seeded Bengals will play in the Wild Card round for the fifth consecutive season.

Waiting for Dalton and the Bengals will be the Steelers, who enter the playoffs with a 10-6 record after winning six of its past eight games. Pittsburgh, who qualified for the playoffs for the sixth time under Mike Tomlin (http://247sports.com/Coach/Mike-Tomlin-3362), will try to beat the Bengals in the post season for the second time withBen Roethlisberger (http://247sports.com/Player/Ben-Roethlisberger-75953) as quarterback. Cincinnati will look to settle the score with his cross-state rival, while getting its first playoff victory in over a quarter century.


Author

Bryan DeArdo (http://247sports.com/User/Bryan%20DeArdo) @nfl_steelers247 (http://pit.247sports.com/User/Bryan%20DeArdo)

[smokin3000gt]

I hope Andy is ready to play. Playing against McCarron is like getting into a fight with a girl. There is no upside. If you win, you beat up a girl. If you lose, you lost to a girl.

[Psycho Ward 86]

i almost feel less afraid of Dalton given his playoff/primetime record

[86WARD]

Could be difficult for Dalton to grip the ball.

[steelreserve]

If Dalton is ready ... he's Andy Dalton, who hasn't played in a month, with a broken thumb.

If McCarran is playing ... well, hopefully, he doesn't do too much damage before we bench Blake.

No offense, but this is the point at which I really, REALLY hope Blake picks up an injury with a 6-8 week recovery time. At this stage, he is going to cost us a game, maybe not this one, but likely the next one and CERTAINLY the conference championship if we play the Patriots. Not hoping for anything career-threatening, although I suppose the idea of him having a "career" is pretty generous.

[polamalubeast]

Dalton could be bad on Saturday, but this year Dalton was a different QB.Just look at his stats this year and in primetime, he had a good game against the Cardinals despite the loss of his team.

I would not be surprised to see Dalton have a big game against us, especially our defense can be bad.But one thing is certain, Dalton gives a better chance at his team to win.

[stillers4me]

I can easily see those dirty, cheap shot animals trying to take out as many of our guys as they can. If they can't win, they'll want to leave us crippled.

[Steelermania]

"Cross state rival"?? I guess Peter King didn't major in geography.

[lotas]

"Cross state rival"?? I guess Peter King didn't major in geography.
Cross-state refers to "across state lines" I would imagine ;)

Re: Dalton -- I want Andy Dalton to play. Give me Dalton, give me a healthy Bengals team, and let's square off one on one, that way after we leave them in the dust there will be no what-if's.

[lipps83]

If McCarrron plays though there is always the chance that they show shots of his wife sitting in the press box.

[fansince'76]

"Cross state rival"?? I guess Peter King didn't major in geography.

Peter King's a hack...

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--oe_fL_wf--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_358,q_80,w_636/188nq72o17qfljpg.jpg

[Steelman]

Gimmie Dalton! He had less Bad Andy moments this year but he's still Andy Dalton.

[katmandu]

If McCarran is playing ... well, hopefully, he doesn't do too much damage before we bench Blake.

No offense, but this is the point at which I really, REALLY hope Blake picks up an injury with a 6-8 week recovery time. At this stage, he is going to cost us a game, maybe not this one, but likely the next one and CERTAINLY the conference championship if we play the Patriots. Not hoping for anything career-threatening, although I suppose the idea of him having a "career" is pretty generous. And at this stage of the game, the options are...... what ?

[katmandu]

i almost feel less afraid of Dalton given his playoff/primetime recordReminds me of this meme......

http://4ca03fhcpiv4bsn7vbg2ef11td.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/BdPw7WvIEAAEqQw.jpg

[steelreserve]

And at this stage of the game, the options are...... what ?


You mean other than using the guys who we normally do when he's on the bench, who play much better than him? I haven't got a clue.

[Shoes]

I believe Dalton still had a cast on yesterday and was going to the doctor today, I can't see how he will be ready to throw a football by Saturday.

[katmandu]

You mean other than using the guys who we normally do when he's on the bench, who play much better than him? I haven't got a clue.What rotation would you suggest ?

[steelerdude15]

It could benefit us because he could possibly come back rusty.

[steelreserve]

What rotation would you suggest ?


Cockrell, Gay and Boykin? You know, the one we've been using?

I almost didn't recognize you without the naked man-ass avatar. Never did get around to asking what that was about ...

[katmandu]

I almost didn't recognize you without the naked man-ass avatar. Never did get around to asking what that was about ...Lol! You never recognized him ??

That was Terry Bradshaw!

It was a screenshot from the movie he was in Failure to Launch. That was his famous scene in his "naked room".

If you haven't already watched that movie, it's a MUST see! Bradshaw was hilarious!

[tube517]

Lol! You never recognized him ??

That was Terry Bradshaw!

It was a screenshot from the movie he was in Failure to Launch. That was his famous scene in his "naked room".

Glad you changed it... :chuckle:

[katmandu]

Glad you changed it... :chuckle:Lol ! You didn't get a kick out of Bradshaw's naked ass ? LOL !

[tube517]

Lol ! You didn't get a kick out of Bradshaw's naked ass ? LOL !

:lol: When I'm at work, I have to put the forum in "Safe" viewing mode. But your avatar wasn't the only one.

[vasteeler]

with our secondary it does not matter who starts. we are going to have to score a lot of points offensively

[86WARD]

Normally with Daltons injury, once the cast is off, it takes a decent amount of time to be able to take the ball from center, grip the ball and be able to throw the ball...