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CINCINNATI (AP) — Andy Dalton is out for the rest of the season with an injured thumb on his passing hand Randy Bullock Jersey White , another significant blow to a Bengals team that has fallen apart in the past month.Dalton reached for a fumbled ball and had someone land on his right hand during a 35-20 rout by the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Cincinnati’s fifth loss in its past six games.Just like that, a season that started with so much promise has turned into a nosedive .Cincinnati (5-6) is without its quarterback or much hope that things will get much better down the stretch. The Bengals put Dalton on injured reserve after he had more tests and medical opinions Monday about the best way to get the thumb healed.Coach Marvin Lewis said Dalton’s thumb is expected to be healed before the start of offseason workouts.It’s the same thumb that Dalton broke while making a tackle on an interception return against the Steelers in 2015. He missed the last three regular-season games and an 18-16 loss to the Steelers in a first-round playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium.Jeff Driskel will start for the Bengals the rest of the way, getting his first chance to lead the team in his third NFL season. The Bengals claimed quarterback Tom Savage off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers as a backup on Monday.“The more you get out there and the more you play well, the more confidence you are going to get in yourself and the people around you,” Driskel said Monday.Dalton completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,566 yards with 21 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a passer rating of 89.6, the third-highest of his eight-year career.Even with Dalton, the Bengals weren’t doing much except losing.After a 4-1 start that boosted them atop the AFC North, the Bengals have lost five of six and fallen to third place. It’s their worst stretch since 2016 Womens Preston Brown Jersey , when they went 1-5-1 over the middle of the schedule and finished 6-9-1, ending their streak of five straight playoff appearances.After Dalton got hurt on Sunday, Driskel came in and threw his first career touchdown pass and ran for another as the Browns went conservative with a big lead. Cleveland threw the ball only four times in the second half and played softer on defense. Driskel was 17 of 29 for 155 yards.Coordinator Bill Lazor said Monday that Driskel has shown his ability to lead the offense in his limited opportunities.“I think guys see it, and that’s the important part,” Lazor said. “You can’t talk them into feeling good about somebody; they’ve got to earn it. And he’s earned it every day in practice and in the preseason games.”With Driskel running the offense, the Bengals had five false-start penalties — each by a different player — and one more for an illegal shift in the fourth quarter. Driskel thinks that working with the starting offense in practice this week will fix the problems.“The more time you are able to get in and out of the huddle with those guys, hear the cadence, say the cadence, it’s just beneficial,” he said. “I don’t think it helps coming off the bench.”With five games left and Dalton hurt, the Bengals are facing a big challenge.“They’ve got to do it Womens Trey Hopkins Jersey ,” Lewis said. “They’ve got to dig out.”INJURY UPDATECornerback Tony McRae suffered a concussion in the third quarter. The medical staff strapped him to a backboard and wheeled him off the field, concerned he might have a spinal injury. Lewis said Monday that McRae had a concussion but no spinal injury.HUE’S GAME BALLLewis didn’t have anything to say about Browns safety Damarious Randall handing the ball to Hue Jackson after he intercepted one of Dalton’s passes on Sunday.“I don’t want to comment on somebody else’s player,” Lewis said. Last week: 6-6Weeks 1 through 12: 79-81-5Home team shown in bold. Odds taken from Odds Shark.Green Bay (-13.5) vs. ArizonaThe Packers might be a long shot to make the playoffs, but they are still really good at home.<em>Pick: Green Bay (-13.5)</em>Atlanta (-2.5) vs. BaltimoreLike the Packers, the Falcons are a lot better at home. Lamar Jackson vs. Matt Ryan has potential to be a lot of fun, but I think the vet takes it over the rook.<em>Pick: Atlanta (-2.5)</em>Miami (-3.5) vs. BuffaloJosh Allen played well last week against a scuffling Jaguars team, but can he put it together for two games in a row? I have my doubts. I’ll take Miami.<em>Pick: Miami (-3.5)</em>Carolina (-3) vs. Tampa BayDivisional games are normally tight, but the Panthers <em>need</em> this win. They can’t afford to lose their fourth in a row, and I don’t think they will.<em>Pick: Carolina (-3)</em>Chicago (-3.5) vs. New York Giants It’s Chase Daniel again this week for the Bears. If he plays well again, which team is going to give him a multi-year deal this offseason? Some GM out there just might.<em>Pick: Chicago (-3.5)</em>Houston (-5.5) vs. ClevelandFresh off the Hue Jackson revenge game, the Browns (especially Baker Mayfield) have had plenty to say this week. They’ll want to back it up with another solid performance Joe Mixon Jersey White , so this one stays close. Plus, the Texans are due for a clunker.<em>Pick: Cleveland (+5.5)</em>Denver (-5) vs. Cincinnati Jeff Driskel will get a start in place of Andy Dalton for the Bengals this week, and if he plays well things might start to get a little interesting in Cincinnati. However, the Broncos are quietly playing some good ball. I’ll take them.<em>Pick: Denver (-5)</em>Indianapolis (-4) vs. Jacksonville The Jaguars are a mess.<em>Pick: Indianapolis (-4)</em>Los Angeles Rams (-10) vs. DetroitThe Rams are coming off a bye after that thrilling Monday Night Football victory a few weeks back. The Lions are also coming off a mini-bye of sorts after losing to Chase Daniel on Thanksgiving. Give me the Rams.<em>Pick: Los Angeles Rams (-10)</em>Kansas City (-14) vs. Oakland The Raiders are a mess.<em>Pick: Kansas City (-14)</em>Tennessee (-9.5) vs. New York JetsI know the Jets aren’t good by any means, but 9.5 is a lot here. I think this game gets mucked up and ends up closer than people think.<em>Pick: New York Jets (+9.5)</em>New England (-5) vs. MinnesotaA matchup of two teams that haven’t really been as good as we thought they would be this year. Prediction: Kirk Cousins and Tom Brady both put up some big numbers.<em>Pick: New England (-5)</em>Seattle (-10) vs. San FranciscoThe Seahawks just keep on winning games. It may stop sometime, but not against the 49ers.<em>Pick: Seattle (-10)</em>Pittsburgh (-3) vs. Los Angeles ChargersThe Bolts are still looking for that signature win. There’s no better time to get it than in Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football.<em>Pick: Los Angeles Chargers (+3)</em>Philadelphia (-6) vs. WashingtonIf the Eagles can’t get on track at home against a Colt McCoy-led Redskins team, they aren’t going to get back on track.<em>Pick: Philadelphia (-6)</em>