Andy Dalton has taken the brunt of the criticism for the Cincinnati Bengals’ disappointing postseason performances the past few years. But standout wide receiver A.J. Green has his quarterback’s back, saying Thursday that he’s also to blame.
The Bengals were ousted in their first game last year, losing 27-10 to the San Diego Chargers at home, and have dropped three playoff game in the past three years.
“He’s not the only one on the team,” Green said. “We all take a hand in that. The defense didn’t play good (this year). I dropped a pass.”
Green, who entered the NFL with Dalton in 2011, thinks the Bengals will reach a contract agreement with the quarterback before the season. Dalton is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
“We came in together,” Green said. “That’s my guy. He helped me where I am. I helped him and we took the Bengals to a different level. The Bengals were losing a lot before we came. I feel like we turned it around. I know they know he’s the guy. … I feel like they’re going to get something done before the season starts.”
In the meantime, Green believes Dalton will put his playoff struggles behind in 2014. In three playoff games to date, Dalton has thrown one touchdown pass and six interceptions.
“A lot of people give (Dalton) crap for not winning a playoff game, but we’ve been in the playoffs the last three seasons and had winning seasons, winning 10 or more games (twice),” Green said. “So, like I said, the playoff games, we’ll still get them. We’ll win them. It just takes time.”