The good news: Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals is breaking records. The bad news: he shouldn't be too proud of the one he broke on Sunday. After losing to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Dalton became the first quarterback since 1950 to start a season 8-0 (2015) and 0-8 (2019), per NFL Research.
Dalton's Bengals lost 24-10 against the Rams in London. In doing so, the veteran quarterback went 32 of 54 for 312 yards and one touchdown. For the season, Dalton has 2,252 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions on a 60.4% completion rate, good for a 79.2 passer rating.
For comparison's sake, Dalton threw for 3,250 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions on a 66.1% completion rate, good for 106.2 passer rating in 2015. He ended the season prematurely due to injury.
By no means has Dalton been fantastic in 2019. However, he isn't the lone reason for Cincinnati's slow-start in the Zac Taylor era. His defense struggles to get on the field, they are dealing with a litany of injuries, the offense can't run the ball and his protection has been, as they say, awful.
Though the Bengals are struggling to do much of anything right, they aren't expected to fully tank the season by trading away assets before the trade deadline on Tuesday, Oct. 29. That means Dalton could have help soon by way of wide receiver A.J. Green, who is expected to return after the bye week.
Nonetheless, Dalton is the possessor of the stat. It's not one that he — or the organization — should be proud of. But, what can they do about it?
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