The Cincinnati Bengals lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-20 Sunday, but that wasn't all they lost. QB Andy Dalton broke his thumb in the game he might not return this season.
With Dalton out, the Bengals turned to backup A.J. McCarron. In his first meaningful snaps in his NFL, the Alabama product was inconsistent. He completed 22 of 32 passes for 280 yards and two TDs, but was also picked off twice. One of those interceptions went for a pick-six. However, the second-year QB is feeling confident.
"You gotta embrace it," McCarron said. "I love it. You gotta love pressure moments. That’s what makes you great. That’s when the great ones really shine. I guess Tom Brady was in the same situation when he had the opportunity so I gotta make the most of it, do my job each week, know we have an unbelievable defense, don’t turn the ball over and we have a chance to win."
Brady won his first Super Bowl in his second-year after starting QB Drew Bledsoe was injured. It's a similar situation, but inviting comparisons to Tom Brady is a dangerous game. It's unclear if the Bengals will need to start McCarron in the playoffs, but they'd love for him to pull a Brady and lead them to a Super Bowl.