The Cincinnati Bengals tried going to rookie quarterback Ryan Finley, but the results were less than optimal. Now, the Bengals are reinserting Andy Dalton into the starting lineup, as head coach Zac Taylor feels it gives the team a better chance to win.
“We just want to win, and that veteran presence he has will certainly be helpful through all the things we’ve experienced on offense, and he’s got great experience,” Taylor said, according to Tyler Dragon of The Cincinnati Enquirer. “We’ve obviously had our challenges on offense, regardless of who’s playing quarterback.”
Finley made three starts for Cincinnati, throwing for 474 yards, a couple of touchdowns and a pair of interceptions while completing just 47.1 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 62.1.
Most recently, Finley went 12-of-26 for 192 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While Dalton was not exactly great in his own right during his first eight starts, throwing for 2,252 yards, nine touchdowns and eight picks while completing 60.4 percent of his passes and registering a passer rating of 79.2, Taylor feels that Dalton gives the Bengals more of a shot of winning their first game of the season.
“Andy and I have had many, many conversations since all that happened,” Taylor said. “Before and after. We’ve been on the same page. Andy’s handled it as well as you could hope any veteran would. He wants to play, he feels he can help the team win.”
Cincinnati is 0-11 on the year and is looking to avoid becoming just the second 0-16 team in NFL history. The only other club to hold such a dubious distinction is the 2008 Detroit Lions.
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