On the latest "Around the League Podcast," we asked if Andy Dalton played his ugliest game on Sunday.
The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback threw for just 69 yards in the first half and failed to move the ball in a rough 17-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
"We didn't execute well," offensive tackle Andrew Whitworthsaid after the game, per The Cincinnati Enquirer. "We had two plays where half the people know what is happening, half the people don't. Then we had a fumble deal where we lost 15 yards on first-and-10, things that happen in high school football, can't happen in pro football."
Said Whitworth: "It's an embarrassing day, but it happens in the league. Everybody has to take a step back at some point. We will, and we will be better."
The Bengals walked into this season with arguably the most talented offensive roster in the AFC North, but on Sunday Dalton failed to raise the play of those around him. His 58.1 passer rating marked the third-lowest output of his career.
He's on track for 20 touchdown passes and 16 picks, and that's Dalton in a nutshell.
"I didn't play well enough," he said. "I expect better out of the offense and to not score a touchdown, we've got too good of players, too good of a team to do that."
He's right. The Bengals have a premier receiver in A.J. Green, versatility in the backfield with Giovani Bernard and arguably the best group of tight ends in the division. When Cincinnati builds a lead, Dalton's game-manager act does the trick.
Asking him to do much more is when the Bengals get into trouble.
The "Around The League Podcast" review every Week 4 game. Click here to listen and subscribe.
