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CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Andy Dalton isnt shying away from the comparisons any longer. Until now, the Bengals fourth-year quarterback has avoided linking his name with some of the NFLs best, even as he accomplished things that few others could claim. Thats changed with his ongoing negotiations over a contract extension. Its time to accentuate the positives from his first three seasons. "Well, Im very confident in what Ive done," he said. "The people who are the critics, they look at all of the negatives. They dont look at all of the stuff that Ive accomplished. They dont look at that Im one of three quarterbacks in the history of the NFL to do certain things. They dont look at that kind of stuff. "They want to find ways to tear me down, but Im not worried about that. They can say whatever they want. All that matters is what everyone believes in this organization and what I believe in myself." There are a lot of rarified numbers he can cite: -- Dalton, Dan Marino and Peyton Manning are the only ones to throw 20 or more touchdown passes in each of their first two seasons. -- Dalton is one of only five starting quarterbacks to lead their teams to the playoffs in each of their first three seasons, along with the Rams Pat Haden, the Dolphins Marino, the Browns Bernie Kosar and the Ravens Joe Flacco. -- If the Bengals reach the playoffs again this season, hell join Flacco as the only starting quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era to reach the playoffs in each of their first four seasons. -- Dalton has already set numerous franchise records for passing. He threw for a club-record 4,293 yards and 33 touchdowns last season. The big blemish: 0-3 in the post-season. Dalton has given some of his worst performances in the playoffs, setting up three straight opening-round exits. Dalton is entering the final year on his contract. Hes emphasizing those regular-season accomplishments while making his case for a new deal. "We are obviously comparing guys in their first three years -- what they have done, what they are doing now, and presenting them with stuff," Dalton said. "That is how we have come up with what we are wanting." Whos the best comparison? "Lets see here: Flacco, (Aaron) Rodgers, (Drew) Brees. Who else? Matt Ryan. All those top guys," he said. His biggest shortcoming also leaves him in some pretty good company. Hes one of seven NFL quarterbacks who who have lost an opening playoff game three seasons in a row, according to STATS. The others: Warren Moon (4), Otto Graham (3), Y.A. Tittle (3), Bert Jones (3), Joe Montana (3) and Randall Cunningham (3). "This is a big year," Dalton said. "Just from the standpoint of OK, now Ive been through it three times now. Ive played well. Ive been to the playoffs. Obviously the playoffs havent gone well for us, but its not just me." Dalton turned the ball over three times in the second half of a 27-10 loss to San Diego at Paul Brown Stadium that extended Cincinnatis playoff misery. The Bengals havent won a playoff game in 23 years. Their three straight opening-game losses tie the league record. Dalton has studied video of the playoff loss during the off-season. "We had chances in the game. Obviously the turnovers killed us," he said. "I wish I would have done some things differently in the game. It didnt turn out that way. Youve got to take the good things that happened last season and improve on them." Coach Marvin Lewis fell to 0-5 in the playoffs but got a year added to his contract, which now runs through 2015. He has reassured Dalton privately and insisted publicly that the quarterback can take the franchise deep into the playoffs and end all those streaks of futility and doubts about his ability. "It means a lot," Dalton said. 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"I never commented to anyone that I wanted out," he explained. "My heart is with this group and making the playoffs." Kesler added that the rumours are "completely false" that he asked to be traded - recently or ever. DETROIT -- James Shields was acquired two offseasons ago to pitch in games like this for Kansas City. With the Royals trying to avoid a sweep in their biggest series in years, the 32-year-old right-hander delivered. "You dont earn a nickname like Big Game James for nothing," manager Ned Yost said. "Games dont come much bigger than this." Shields allowed two hits over seven innings in another terrific performance, and Kansas City edged Detroit 3-0 on Wednesday night to take a one-game lead over the Tigers atop the AL Central. Detroit had won the first two games of the series to pull into a virtual tie for first in the division. The teams have a three-game series in Kansas City that starts Sept. 19. "Its definitely a game that we needed, for sure, but I think every game from here on out is pretty crucial," Shields said. "We took a couple tough losses there, the last couple days, but were having fun right now and enjoying the moment." Shields (14-7) gave up a single to Ian Kinsler leading off the first. Then he picked off Kinsler -- and retired every other batter he faced until another Detroit single in the seventh. The Tigers put two on that inning, but Shields worked out of the jam. Kelvin Herrera pitched the eighth and Wade Davis finished for his third save. Rick Porcello (15-11) pitched well for the Tigers, but Kansas City pushed across two runs in the fourth on RBI singles by Salvador Perez and Lorenzo Cain. Alcides Escobar added a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Shields was acquired in December 2012 in a trade that sent top prospect Wil Myers to Tampa Bay. Myers won Rookie of the Year honours last season, but now Shields has helped put the Royals in contention for their first post-season appearance since 1985. "The only thing Ive been telling guys is just stay relaxed and have fun," said Shields, who pitched in the post-season for Tampa Bay in 2008, 2010 and 2011. "This is why we play the game." He came within two outs of a shutout in New York on Friday in a 1-0 win over the Yankees, and the Tigers didnt fare any better against him. SShields struck out eight and walked one on Wednesday, throwing 98 pitches.dddddddddddd Torii Hunters comebacker hit Shields in the back of his right leg in the first, but the Kansas City starter was able to continue. The game was delayed 42 minutes by rain at the start, and in the fourth it was raining hard enough to send fans toward the concourse, but there were no more delays. RALLY HALTED In the seventh, Hunter managed a single and Miguel Cabrera walked, but Shields retired Victor Martinez on a deep fly and struck out J.D. Martinez. "Thats pretty typical of him. He goes out and he pitches like that for 200 innings every year. Thats what he does," Kinsler said. "Rick threw the ball really well, but we didnt create any offence, and thats the game." TOUGH LOSS Porcello struck out four of the first five Kansas City batters. He allowed two runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings, striking out seven without a walk. He allowed consecutive singles to Josh Willingham, Eric Hosmer and Perez with one out in the fourth, and Cains two-out single made it 2-0. TRAINERS ROOM Royals: All-Star closer Greg Holland sat out again, despite the tight score in the late innings. He hasnt pitched since Sept. 3 because of a triceps issue. "Greg felt fine today," Yost said. "My whole mindset was, I was going to go up to the point where Greg said, OK, I dont feel anything -- and then give him another day." Tigers: RHP Joakim Soria (left oblique strain) was activated from the disabled list before the game. He allowed a run in the ninth. ... Left-handed reliever Phil Coke left in the eighth with a muscle spasm in his lower back after being unable to field Hosmers bunt. UP NEXT Royals: RHP Liam Hendriks (1-1) starts against Bostons Clay Buchholz (7-8) on Thursday night. Kansas City LHP Danny Duffy is missing that turn in the rotation because of a sore shoulder. Tigers: Detroit has an off day Thursday, followed by a home series against Cleveland. Tigers LH