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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Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Will Allen (20) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Will Allen (20) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bengals have a two game lead in the division

I could see rushing Dalton back if the Bengals were in real danger of missing out on the playoffs. That isn’t the case for this team though. Even after losing to Pittsburgh on Sunday, the Bengals still enjoy a two game advantage in the race for the AFC North crown.

A two game cushion with only three games to play is a pretty solid lead. While the Bengals certainly will miss Andy Dalton if he misses a game or two, it doesn’t totally take away their chances of winning. They still would have a chance to win all of their three remaining contests. Win one of those games and you pretty much take the Steelers out of the division race. The smart bet is that the Bengals can do enough, even without Dalton, to stave off any late-season Steelers charge.

If they’re able to hold off Pittsburgh and win the Division it likely means they will be blessed with some home field advantage. That’s really what the Bengals should be playing for at this point. They aren’t really in the race for anything more. Given the high probability of achieving what they need to without playing Dalton, resting him for a few more games is probably the wise course of action.

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