The Bengals need Carson Palmer to stay healthy because he is the leader of the team.  He is playing at a high level this season and he is a big reason that they are 7-3 and sitting atop the AFC North right now.  The 29-year old Palmer has started every game for the Bengals this season and he has completed 192 of 312 passes (61.5%) for 2,217 yards with 14 TD passes and 8 INTs (87.2 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 23 times for 59 yards (2.6 avg) with 3 TD runs this year.  The Bengals have pretty much gone the way that Palmer has in his career so it’s good for them that he is playing well right now.  Palmer has played in 75 games for the Bengals in his career and he has completed 1,572 of 2,477 (63.5%) passes for 17,847 yards with 121 TD passes and 75 INTs (88.7 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 131 times for 232 yards (1.8 ypc) with 5 TD runs.  For the Bengals to hold off the Steelers and Ravens in the AFC North they will need to continue to block well and keep Carson Palmer in one piece.