Game Ball Of The Week Against The Cardinals: Bengals Quarterback Andy Dalton

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 29, 2011 10:41 AM EST in Awards

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass in the second half of the game against the St. Louis Rams on December 18, 2011 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. The Bengals defeated the Rams 20-13. (Photo by Whitney Curtis/Getty Images)

We know that we’re a little late with our weekly Game Ball, but due to Christmas and all of the other excuses in the book that simply implies having a forgetful nature. On the surface Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton didn’t post the type of numbers that warrants notice, completing 18 of 31 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally Dalton’s second half was shockingly ineffective, completing three of nine passes for 18 yards passing. Thankfully it was the first half that really mattered.

Last week against the Arizona Cardinals, Andy Dalton completed 15 of 22 passes in the first half, registering 136 yards passing and two touchdowns, helping the Bengals outscore the Cardinals by 20 points.

It’s the third time this year that we’ve awarded the Game Ball to Dalton, who is one of two players we’ve awarded this to more than once this season (the other being Carlos Dunlap).

Week Two Against Denver: Quarterback Andy Dalton
Week Three Against San Francisco: Defensive End Jonathan Fanene
Week Four Against Buffalo: Place Kicker Mike Nugent
Week Five Against Jacksonville: Tight End Jermaine Gresham
Week Six Against Indianapolis: Quarterback Andy Dalton
Week Seven (Bye Week): Bengals Owner Mike Brown
Week Eight Against Seattle: Defensive End Carlos Dunlap
Week Nine Against Tennessee: Defensive End Carlos Dunlap
Week Ten Against Pittsburgh: Linebacker Manny Lawson
Week Eleven Against Baltimore: Wide Receiver Jerome Simpson
Week Twelve Against Cleveland: Wide Receiver A.J. Green
Week Thirteen Against Pittsburgh: Offensive Tackle Anthony Collins
Week Fourteen Against Houston: Guard Bobbie Williams And Linebacker Rey Maualuga
Week Fifteen Against St. Louis: Cornerback Nate Clements
Week Sixteen Against Arizona: Quarterback Andy Dalton

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I agree

The entire Defense played lights out for 3 quarters…….but we all know what happened next…..but those terrible field positions were in part due to Benson’s fumbles……but overall….the damn ginger got it done….played smart…made some plays on his feet…..didn’t force anything…..played a solid game….he didnt have the passing yards because we had a lead the whole game………GOD I CANT WAIT TO GO TO THE GAME…………………………………………………whodey

by ticalcaldwell on Dec 29, 2011 10:45 AM EST reply actions

Dunlap not practicing today per Hobson.....gulp

by n8dogg on Dec 29, 2011 11:44 AM EST reply actions

Dalton has been incredible, for a rookie.

I’ve been amazed at how poised and under-control he’s been.

If I were Gruden, I’d only have two suggestions for Dalton. First, don’t be afraid to take what the defense gives you…you don’t have to force it to AJ every time. We’ve got good underneath options in Gresham, Hawkins, and Whalen. It’s OK to just dump it off every once in a while.

I’d also have him focus on staying consistent in the second half. Maybe it’s just me, but I think the passing game has struggled in the second half, in recent weeks. Now, that could be Marvin’s legendary “we’ve got a lead everybody slow down” mentality. But it still worries me.

by Big Sky Bengal on Dec 29, 2011 11:46 AM EST reply actions