AJ McCarron takes blame for Bengals’ loss to Broncos

Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware recovered the ball to end the game. He bobbled the ball and the Broncos recovered, giving them the win. The Broncos’ 20-17 overtime win over Cincinnati assured Denver a playoff spot, but it certainly wasn’t easy. Now, all the Broncos have to do is win next week, and they will secure a first-round bye.

It’s up to McCarron to lead the Bengals into the postseason.

Tight end Tyler Eifert participated in the light practice.

A concussion suffered during the Steelers game in Week 14 cost him the past two games and reports surfaced last week that he would be held out the rest of the regular season, which Geoff Hobson says is still possible.

McCarron has been filling in for Andy Dalton, who is the team’s actual starting quarterback when the team is at full strength. It’s been two weeks since the injury.

“It’s tough”, Green said. “There are still things that are going to be off between us and him, but he’s continuing to grow and he’s done a tremendous job. All we have to do is go out there and take care of next weekend, and hope for the best”. McCarron was almost sacked by Von Miller on the first play, ruled an incomplete pass rather than a fumble.

DENVER (AP) – One errant shotgun snap sent the fortunes of the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals in different directions.

The way that they lost in Denver was as disappointing as anything.

In his second National Football League start, McCarron completed 22-of-35 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown without an interception.

After that, however, the Cincinnati defense couldn’t stop Arizona’s offense, which marched from its own 16 to the Bengals’ 28 when an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Domata Peko moved the Cards 15 yards closer and Chandler Catanzaro kicked a 32-yard field goal with two seconds left to give the home team a 34-31 victory.

The NFL season is down to the final week and in the AFC, the playoff picture is still pretty fluid.

“It felt like a playoff game”, he said. “It’s time to play the best second half we’ve played all year, ‘ and we did that tonight”. “I told the team and the offensive guys that”. “That is what it comes down to”.

The biggest issue, however, might be a left wrist injury that occurred when McCarron went to battle Ware for the fumble recovery. It’s his non-throwing hand, so he’s expected to start against the Ravens. Looking at the depth chart right now, former Ravens practice squad quarterback Keith Wenning is No. 2 on the depth chart, according to Yahoo Sports.

Cincinnati evened the score on kicker Mike Nugent’s 52-yard field goal with 6:46 left to play. Let’s assume Cincy doesn’t get the bye and has to play in the first round as a No. 3 seed.

If they win, left end Carlos Dunlap promises a shower for the famously dour Lewis when it comes to winning. “I mean, back to square one”.

Cleveland (3-12) will finish its season Sunday at home against Pittsburgh (9-6).

I realize I am writing about the National Football League for a major publication, and this is the place where I should probably espouse some sort of wisdom about what I watched Monday night.