Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (5) prepares to throw the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
CINCINNATI — As he sat at the podium following Sunday’s relief appearance against the Pittsburgh Steelers, quarterback AJ McCarron appeared a bit beleaguered, but promised to work hard to get ready for his first NFL start this Sunday in San Francisco.
The former University of Alabama star wasn’t kidding.
McCarron, who went 22 of 32 for 280 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in relief of the injured Andy Dalton, watched film for several hours with his receivers on the traditional Tuesday day off this week.
On Monday, fresh off the first extended regular-season playing time of his career, McCarron arrived at Paul Brown Stadium at 8 a.m. and didn’t leave until after 6 p.m.
Newly-resigned backup quarterback Keith Wenning joined McCarron in preparations for the 49ers (4-9), who stand in the way of 10-3 Cincinnati wrapping up the AFC North title and inching closer to a postseason bye, which would be a blessing for the banged-up Bengals.
“Keith and myself have been up here a lot, putting in a lot of work, and showing the guys we’re here and we’re going to work our tails off,” McCarron said. “I want to show the guys that they can depend on me.”
Coach Marvin Lewis insists that he and offensive coordinator Hue Jackson won’t alter the offense much with McCarron under center, while teammates hope to lighten the burden.
“We have a lot of threats on offense,” said running back Gio Bernard. “Hopefully we can take some of the pressure off AJ.”
That becomes exponentially easier if tight end Tyler Eifert passes concussion protocol and can play on Sunday. Eifert, who leads the league in touchdown receptions, adds a different dimension to the Bengals’ offense.
Another potential boost for McCarron would be the return of the oft-dormant Bengals rushing attack, which showed signs of coming back to life prior to last week’s loss to Pittsburgh in which the Bengals trailed early.
Running back Jeremy Hill said the best way to get the running game going is to get the early lead, which they didn’t against the Steelers.
“Sunday was a tough predicament to put (McCarron) in, coming from behind,” Hill said. “Getting all the reps in this week, we’re very confident in him. This time around hopefully we can dictate the tempo of the game and get some play-action, get some run game, make things easier for him.”
It’s a pivotal game for Cincinnati, which still is eyeing the No. 2 overall seed in the AFC but now is being given the death knell by some following Dalton’s injury. Dalton learned Monday that he won’t require surgery and a return for the postseason would be made more probable if the Bengals were to earn a first-round bye.
First things first.
A victory Sunday in San Francisco would do more than just accomplish the team’s first goal, which is to win the AFC North.
It also would silence some skeptics and give Cincinnati confidence that it can do more than just stay afloat without Dalton. Perhaps behind McCarron, the team can recapture momentum heading into the playoffs.
“We won’t have to change much of what we do,” Lewis said. “AJ will get the reps Andy normally got. It will just change that way.”
SERIES HISTORY:
San Francisco leads 11-3 including a pair of Super Bowl wins over the Bengals by a combined nine points. The 49ers’ winning percentage (.786) against the Bengals is the highest of any all-time series in the NFL. Cincinnati never has faced San Francisco in Levi’s Stadium.
GAME PLAN:
The Bengals aren’t as much concerned with the 49ers defense as they are with themselves Sunday with McCarron making his first career start. McCarron has been burning the midnight oil this week refining his knowledge of the offense with Dalton out indefinitely with a fractured right thumb. He mostly played well in his relief stint in last week’s 33-20 loss to Pittsburgh, sans a couple costly interceptions. The Bengals to a man say they have confidence in McCarron and aim to elevate their play on both sides of the ball to make his debut a success. It’s a tough trip to San Francisco, but the struggling 49ers could be ripe for the taking especially with the AFC North title again on the line for Cincinnati.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
–Bengals pass rush vs. banged-up 49ers offensive line
Cincinnati is tied for ninth in the league with 34 sacks and figures to get some opportunities to get San Francisco QB Blaine Gabbert on the ground. Defensive end Wallace Gilberry offered caution. “On paper maybe,” Gilberry said. “But every game we play, the offensive line comes out like they are all Pro Bowlers.” Tackle Carlos Dunlap and end Geno Atkins rank among the top 12 in the league in sacks.
–Injury-depleted Bengals secondary vs. 49ers receivers
Cincinnati is familiar with Torrey Smith from his four seasons with AFC-North rival Baltimore. Smith and Anquan Boldin have combined for more than 1,100 receiving yards and five TDs. Corners Adam Jones (foot), Leon Hall (back) and safety George Iloka (groin) are banged up and their status for Sunday was unknown as of Wednesday.
