Bengals rookie quarterback Andy Dalton was the first since Greg Cook to start his first regular season game during his team's regular season opener. Dalton has led four fourth-quarter comebacks, surpassed the franchise rookie touchdown record and he finished in the AFC Pro Bowl voting fourth, named as the first alternate. So what does Dalton have in common with Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo and Matt Stafford?
According to the ESPN Statistics and Information blog, Dalton is one of seven quarterback in the NFL (the other six named above) to rank in the top ten in the following categories: "eighth in yards per attempt (13.3), eighth in plays of 30-plus yards (17) and tenth in total expected points added (34.6)."
Where Dalton is susceptible is when opposing defenses send five or more pass rushers.
Dalton’s dropbacks per sack balloons from one every 37.9 dropbacks against four or fewer pass rushers to one every 13.2 when the defense sends five or more defenders. He also averages only 6.6 yards per attempt, which is tied for 27th among quarterbacks with at least 50 dropbacks this season.