Fansided

5 reasons Andy Dalton shouldn’t rush back

By Rucker Haringey

Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) looks on from the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) looks on from the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 29, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85) catches a pass for a touchdown from quarterback Andy Dalton (not pictured) in the first half against the St. Louis Rams at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85) catches a pass for a touchdown from quarterback Andy Dalton (not pictured) in the first half against the St. Louis Rams at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

His dangerous weapon, Tyler Eifert, is out too

A season-ending injury to Andy Dalton would kill the Bengals Super Bowl hopes put a similar injury to star tight end Tyler Eifert would put their chances on life-support. Eifert is a doubt next week too for the Bengals and he goes through NFL-mandated concussion protocol.

Eifert is Dalton’s safety blanket out there on the field. When he can’t find a way to hit AJ Green or one of his other wide receivers down the field, Dalton knows he can check down to Eifert and pick up valuable yardage. This means that Dalton can always find a place to throw the ball as opposed to hanging on to it and taking a sack. Taking his security blanket away would leave Dalton open to more physical punishment than the Bengals should be willing to risk at this juncture of the season.

The 2013 first round pick already has 48 catches on the year, but even more impressive are his 12 touchdowns. He uses his rare combination of height and speed to terrorize opposing defenses. He gives Dalton somewhere to throw the ball on any play with the mismatches he creates. If I were the Bengals brass, I wouldn’t want to trot Dalton out there without Eifert if I could help it.

Instead, they should let both guys hang out together on the sidelines next week. They both could use the week of rest before the playoffs and the Bengals should let them have it. Again, it’s a long season here and the real prize isn’t an AFC North crown, it’s a potential Super Bowl berth.

Next: They have a two game lead

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