Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton Improving Each Week.
By Jesse Mapati
Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Andy Dalton appears to be growing right before our eyes. Less than a month after having his skill
challenged during an horrible showing at Cleveland, the third year starter out of TCU has laughed at his haters faces by posting back to back 300 yard passing games and putting the Bengals in position for consecutive game winning field goals. Against Detroit in Sunday’s 27-24 win, he threw for 372 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. It was the first time since 2010 season that a Bengals quarterback had thrown for 300 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a game.
Just like last week when he squared off with the Lions QB Matthew Stafford, Dalton will be part of another unique quarterback battle this weekend when rookie quarterback Geno Smith and the New York Jets visit the Bengals. Dalton hopes to build off last week’s great performance when he faces his third straight intimidating defensive front and top 5 defense. This will be the toughest defense he has faced so far this season.
Yes, there have been times this season when Dalton has overthrown his receivers. Yes, he has thrown passes to empty air, nowhere near of the open pass-catcher area. But overall, when it comes to measuring his accuracy, Dalton has proved to be among the best in league this season. Only six quarterbacks three of them Super Bowl winners have better completion ratings than Dalton’s 65.9 percent. As the Bengals’ short-passing game continues to develop, that number could increase greatly.
Dalton has the Bengals rolling offensively right now. His communication with receiver AJ Green has finally improved, and notable weapons like Marvin Jones, Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard are getting open in space. As long as the running game continues improving and Dalton remains consistent, he should have few difficulties across the next nine games. It will be tough to get another 300 yard passing game against a great Jets defense, all Dalton needs to do is to not make any mistakes which he has been doing a good job of nothing doing it these last two games.