The Cincinnati Bengals have a fine quarterback in Andy Dalton and while he has led his team to a playoffs berth in three straight seasons, he now has lost for the third time and did not play well in that game, tossing two interceptions in the 27-10 home loss to the Chargers on Sunday, bringing up questions about his future in Cincy.
According to Pro Football Talk, questions may come up about Dalton's ability to win in the playoffs and now he has tossed six interceptions in the three playoff losses for the Bengals, making some wonder if he is not "the guy" for Bengals. The team has to think of these questions, because Dalton is coming to new contract territory and he likely will be looking to cash in after having a solid start to his career.
Marvin Lewis has said multiple times that his future is not in question with the team, but that could change as the offseason moves along and with quarterbacks like Blake Bortles and Derek Carr coming out of the draft, could Dalton get replaced? The team hasn't won a playoff game in over 20 years and now they have lost their last three despite being one of the few teams to make it over that span and Dalton was sloppy overall, losing a fumble as well and now there will be major questions in the offseason.
Here is a look at the game from Reuters.com and about how the Bengals lost to the Chargers and now they will be home once again after the first round and the Chargers will be moving on to play the Denver Broncos next in the playoffs. The San Diego Chargers took full advantage of a second half meltdown by the Cincinnati Bengals to claim a 27-10 AFC wild card win on Sunday and move onto the divisional playoffs against the Denver Broncos.
Trailing 10-7 at the half, the Chargers made Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton pay dearly for his miscues, two interceptions and a fumble, to hand Cincinnati their first home loss this season.
For the AFC North champion it was another shocking end to a promising season as their run without a playoff win extended to a painful 24 years. (Reuters)
Four times in the last five seasons Cincinnati has appeared in a wild card contest and fallen flat, losing twice to the Houston Texans (2012, 2011), the New York Jets (2009) and San Diego.
The Chargers outscored Cincinnati 20-0 in the second half, as quarterback Philip Rivers had a modest afternoon, completing 12-of-16 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown.
Ronnie Brown and Danny Woodhead also ran for touchdowns.
(Reuters)
