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5 NFL teams on upset alert in Week 15

By Cody Williams

Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kyle Long (75) talks to Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Chad Greenway (52) after their game at Soldier Field. The Vikings won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kyle Long (75) talks to Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Chad Greenway (52) after their game at Soldier Field. The Vikings won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (5) celebrates with wide receiver A.J. Green (18) after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (5) celebrates with wide receiver A.J. Green (18) after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are by far one of the most interesting teams in the NFL entering Week 15 for a number of reasons. For one, they have looked quite vulnerable as of late regardless of what happened last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throw in the injury to Andy Dalton and the fact that the highly inexperienced A.J. McCarron is stepping in for backup duty, and even a matchup against the lowly San Francisco 49ers becomes interesting.

There’s no question that I, along with countless others, have made the mistake of underestimating backup quarterbacks in the NFL before. Even guys with as little experience as McCarron have shown that, with a full week of practice as the starter, they can come out and have at least marginal success. However, I still don’t have a great deal of faith in McCarron, who I didn’t think much of coming out of college to begin with.

Moreover, Blaine Gabbert and the Niners have looked surprisingly competent since the quarterback took over the starting job. The Bengals defense is certainly formidable, but—and I can’t believe this is something that is about to be said—I have far more faith in Gabbert to come through in this game than I do McCarron.

Next: No. 4 New Orleans Saints

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