Bengals vs. Texans: Andy Dalton Needs Tim Tebow Hype with Wild Card Win

Not one ounce of this season makes sense, right down to how we are ignoring a perfectly good fairytale season in Cincinnati. 

This season has been dominated by talk of Tim Tebow winning, even when he isn't. What hype not used on the Mile High Messiah is used up on Cam Newton, a far more deserving player considering his stats, but the Carolina Panthers are done. 

In what would have made us all laugh from absurdity 17 weeks ago, the Cincinnati Bengals are in the playoffs, and a man-child got them there. 

The Bengals were left at the alter when Carson Palmer just picked up his cleats and walked out, never to return. This left them with a giant hole at quarterback. Sure, Andy Dalton may one day make something of himself, but the season for the playoffs was well off. 

That was the thinking anyway. 

Andy Dalton just finished a season in which he threw for over 3,300 yards and 20 touchdowns. None of that matters, as the bigger stat is the one game playoff that he helped ensure. If he can get the Bengals a win over the Texans, that will be enough to slide Tebow over. 

When the nation is Tim Tebow wild, it's easy to forget some of the bigger stories that were playing out prior to the season. 

The Bengals were flapping in the wind, a team without a quarterback. Now, they have a young general who has helped lead this team deep into January. 

If we are going to heap praise on Tebow for winning despite his circumstances, it's time to do the same for Dalton who wins despite the fact that he shouldn't. The QB is a winner despite his inexperience and the tumultuous situation he was thrown into. 

The Tebow fairytale is fantastic, and great storytelling. It's not the only feel-good hit this season though. I will take the under-appreciated Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals.

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