Monday Night Game: Andy Dalton (68-53-2) @ Mason Rudolph (0-1)
The Curious Case of Andy Dalton
Andy Dalton starts his 16th career game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dalton has been mystified by them throughout his career, with a sad 3-15 record against the Steelers. Facing off against a rookie qb making his 2nd career start could provide Dalton with enough of an advantage to pick up a win.
In those 18 starts, Dalton has thrown 17 TDs and 13 INTs. Not a great set of numbers. Even worse, 2 of Dalton’s 3 wins came at home, and this game is on the road. This game is likelier to come down to the Bengal defense having to stop the former Oklahoma State standout since the Steeler defense is quite familiar with the redheaded stepchild.
Dalton has more sub-200 yard games against the Steelers (6) than he does 300+ yard games (2). While a Dalton explosion against them is possible, it’s not likely based on history.
Andy Dalton is #2 in every key stat in Bengals history, trailing Ken Anderson in every category.
2nd in Completions (2524), 130 behind Anderson (2654)
2nd in Attempts (4050), 425 behind Anderson (4475)
2nd in Yards (29079), 3759 behind Anderson (32838)
2nd in TDs (193), 4 behind Anderson (197)
2nd in Wins (68), 23 behind Anderson (91)
Barring something catastrophic, Dalton will likely pass Anderson in completions and touchdowns this season, and pick up attempts and yards next season. Dalton hasn’t had a double digit win season since 2015, so the win total might elude him for awhile. In fact, over the last three+ seasons, Dalton only has 18 wins:
2016: 6-9-1
2017: 7-9
2018: 5-6
2019: 0-3
Will Andy Dalton supplant Ken Anderson as the winningest quarterback in franchise history? It’s certainly possible, but it overlooks the fact that Andy Dalton has no career postseason wins, while Anderson has 2. Two isn’t much but Ken Anderson did lead the Bengals to Super Bowl 16.
Overall:
Andy Dalton is #45 all-time in completions (2524) and could pass Rich Gannon (2533) this week.
Dalton is #55 all-time in attempts (4050) and could pass Kurt Warner (4070) this week.
Dalton is #52 all-time in yards (29,079) and could pass Jake Plummer (29,253) and Roman Gabriel (29,444) this week.
Dalton is tied at #51 all-time in passing TDs (193, with Alex Smith) and could pass Ken Stabler (194) this week.
Dalton is tied at #60 all-time in wins (68, with Cam Newton) and could move up to tie Jake Plummer and Sonny Jurgensen (69) this week.
Mason Rudolph (0-1)
It was not a great debut for Mason Rudolph, who struggled mightily throughout his start against the San Francisco 49ers. While he did have some TD highlights, he also struggled to throw the ball beyond the line of scrimmage.
This week:
COMP: Rudolph has 26 completions and could pass notable players like Dennis Dixon (35), Michael Vick (40), and Steve Bono (44).
ATT: Rudolph (46) could pass Dixon (59) and Vick (66).
YDS: Rudolph (286) could pass Vick (371) and Dixon (402).
TDS: Rudolph (4) is tied with Antwaan Randle-El.
WINS: The Steelers, possibly due to their success, don’t have a large group of 1-win qbs. In fact, they have none. So a win would move him into a class of nearly his own. Just him and Jack Scarbath (1-0). It would also get him away from 0-win qbs like Byron Leftwich (0-1).
QB Watch Prediction:
Pittsburgh 24, Cincinnati 17
QB Watch 