Jeff Driskel: “I can play at this level”

Regardless of the recent results, the Cincinnati Bengals are close of reaching the Wild Card spot in the AFC. After 11 games, Bengals have a 5-6 record, and are just one victory behind the Baltimore Ravens.

But after last night’s news, things could complicate. And when we say complicated, we mean become horrifying. Andy Dalton, the leader of the Bengals offence, will miss the rest of the season. This is a direct consequence of his thumb injury on his right passing hand.

Emmanuel Ogbah with the fumble recovery!#CINvsCLE https://t.co/zIJGcn38uH

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 25, 2018

At first, the information was suggesting, that Dalton’s injury might heal until the end of the regular part of the season, But, this shocking news arrived. The three-time Pro Bowl tore his ligaments in the thumb, and he will be sidelined for the rest of the season.

During the game against the Brown, one snap went wrong when the ball went over Dalton. A 31-year old quarterback tried to recover the fumble, and while jumping on the football, one of Cleveland’s defenders fell on his hand.

He immediately left the game and never returned.

This is the same thumb which he broke in 2015. Back then, it happened in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he wanted to tackle a defender after being intercepted. Because of that, he missed final four games of the season, including a playoff loss to, once again, Steelers.

Until now, Dalton threw for 21 TD, having 11 interceptions, and totalling 2,566 yards for 89.6 passer rating.

He will be replaced by Jeff Driskel, a 25-year old, who has been waiting for his chance to appear as a starter for the Bengals since 2016. After entering against Cleveland, Driskel threw for one touchdown and 155 yards, 17-of-29, also rushing for one more.

“I think I can play at this level and give our team a chance to win,” he said. “I’ve known that all along. It’s just a matter of stacking that up and doing it week in and week out.”

"I can play at this level and give our team a chance to win"

–QB @jeffdriskel #SeizeTheDEY pic.twitter.com/nWhjl1JEkk

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 27, 2018

He was pretty solid in that game, and if weren’t for the penalties Bengals received in the last period, this game could have been even more thrilling. His athleticism is way better than Dalton’s, and that brings something new in this pale offense.

Driskel was the 207th overall pick in the 6th round of 2016 draft, picked by the San Francisco 49ers. Following the same season in which he was the third quarterback on the depth chart, he got waived by the 49ers.

During the same year, the Bengals took him, and ever since he is a part of this franchise. His professional debut took place in Kansas City, on 21st of October. Andy Dalton sat on the bench, and Driskel completed all of his four passes for 39 yards. Chiefs, however, won that game 45-10.

Cincinnati started with 4-1 and amazed everyone. But somewhere along the road, they fell apart, recording 1-5 since. Numerous injuries were definitely influencing something like this to happen.

TE Eifert, LB Brown, DT Glasgow, DE Lawson, LB Vigil, and A.J. Green are all ineligible for some time. Now, this would be a huge blow for any team in the league.

Cincinnati plays the next game at home. Their opponents will be Denver Broncos, the direct rivals for the wild card spot in the AFC. Driskel and the boys simply need to win in order to stay alive. After that, the Bengals head for LA to face the Chargers and afterwards host the Oakland Raiders.