The Cincinnati Bengals have potentially lost quarterback Andy Dalton for the rest of the season after he suffered a fractured thumb attempting to tackle Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive end Stephon Tuitt after an interception in a 33-20 loss. Though they’ve already won the AFC North, the loss dropped the Bengals out of the top spot in the AFC. Cincy will need to survive the next three weeks without Dalton in order to secure a first-round bye and give him another week to heal and prepare for the playoffs.
Over on the West Coast, the Seahawks were already without running back Marshawn Lynch after his hernia surgery four weeks ago. Undrafted rookie Thomas Rawls has been formidable as a replacement, but now he is done for the year after breaking his ankle in Seattle’s 35-6 win over Baltimore. Seattle is still holding on to the #5 seed in the NFC and seem to be in good hands with quarterback Russell Wilson, but without a solid rushing attack a third trip to the Super Bowl will be a challenge.
