Week 4 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Andy Dalton had a nice fantasy day in a loss to the Seahawks last week, tossing a pair of touchdowns and totaling 361 passing yards on 58 attempts. The Panthers look like they’re going to play from behind quite a bit, so there could be some volume fantasy points heading Dalton’s way if rookie Bryce Young is out again this week - as expected.
Dalton could be worth streaming in a nice matchup this week against the Vikings. Minnesota has been engaged in shootouts to start the season and they rank 27th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. Dalton is still Andy Dalton and this offense is still a work in progress, so there’s risk involved. Still, if you’re desperate, particularly in 2QB formats, Dalton might be worth rolling the dice on in a great matchup.
Update: With Bryce Young set to start, make sure Dalton is out of your lineup. Young becomes an interesting QB2 option in deeper leagues, due to the matchup.
Week 15 vs. Atlanta Falcons
In Week 13, Andy Dalton threw for 229 yards and a touchdown. He remains with just three games this season with more than one touchdown pass. You get what you see at this point with Dalton and that's not something you want to rely on in the fantasy playoffs, even though it is an easy matchup against a bottom-five defense in DVOA in Atlanta.
Week 11 vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Saints are sticking with Andy Dalton despite another lackluster performance last week against the Steelers. Maybe he can find some success this week against a struggling and banged-up Rams defense, but can you really trust Dalton at this point, even in what seems like a favorable matchup?
Week 10 at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Ravens were a very tough matchup, as expected, for Andy Dalton, but he did throw a touchdown, meaning he has thrown a touchdown in all six of his starts for the Saints. That streak likely continues against the Steelers, who rank 21st in DVOA pass defense. He's still a QB2 in standard leagues, but worth consideration for daily lineups this week.
Week 9 vs. Baltimore Ravens
As incredible as it may seem, it looks like Andy Dalton has taken the starting job away from Jameis Winson. Dalton actually had a solid outing against the Raiders, completing 73% of his passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns. However, the dreaded primetime game awaits Dalton this week as he plays on Monday night against the Ravens, who just acquired LB Roquan Smith. A top-12 pass defense that will get even better thanks to Smith. So just beware if you decide to roll the dice on Dalton in primetime. We saw what happened the last time he played in primetime. Just ask Marco Wilson.
Week 8 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Andy Dalton gave us quite the Andy Dalton primetime performance last week against the Cardinals. He threw for 361 yards and four touchdowns, but he had to throw quite a bit because the Saints fell behind early...thanks to Andy Dalton's two pick-sixes, including the epic shot of Marco Wilson doing a frontflip into the end zone. Despite all that, the Saints are sticking with Dalton as their starter, even with Jameis Winston healthy. Sure, why not? Dalton is still a QB2 but he does face one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL in the Raiders this week, so Dalton should put up decent numbers. Just pray he doesn't implode again.
Week 7 at Arizona Cardinals
With Jameis Winston still limited, it may be another week of Andy Dalton as the starter in New Orleans, which doesn't really provide much of a spark for the offense. Dalton has two straight games with under 200 passing yards and only three touchdowns in three games as starter. Things can change and Winston could be the starter, which at least gives the Saints a little more upside. If it's Dalton, best to steer clear, especially on a short week and with Dalton a little hurt himself with a back injury.
Week 6 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
It'll be another week of the Red Rifle in New Orleans, but he hasn't exactly been slinging the football since taking over for Jameis Winston. He can manage the game, but that doesn't get you much in fantasy. Expect more of the same this week against the Bengals, the No. 7 pass defense in DVOA. He just cracks our top 25 quarterbacks this week thanks to the byes. That, and Taysom Hill looks to be back to being the Saints' Swiss army knife.
Week 13 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Andy Dalton started the week getting starter reps in practice, so it seems likely Justin Fields will sit out another week with his ribs injury. That would put Dalton in place to start, and Dalton actually looked good last week, finishing with 317 yards, one touchdown and one interception. But that performance came against the Lions. He'll get a much tougher test this week against the Cardinals, who have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs. Dalton will likely be without Allen Robinson in this matchup, meaning he gets a tough matchup without one of his top weapons. Also, a Bears QB has only thrown two touchdowns in a game once all season. It's just hard to imagine Dalton having much success, which is why he's a bottom five option at QB this week.
Week 12 at Detroit Lions
Andy Dalton came in last week after Justin Fields suffered a rib injury, and he'll be starting for the Bears on Thanksgiving vs. the Lions. He played well last week, finishing with 201 yards and two touchdowns while playing about half of the offensive snaps. In fact, it's the only time this season a Bears QB has thrown two touchdowns in a single game. But it came in a favorable matchup, against an injured Ravens secondary. This week Dalton will draw a surprisingly tough matchup vs. the Lions. Plus, Dalton will likely be without WR1 Allen Robinson, who was inactive last week (hamstring). We have Dalton as a bottom-five option among starting QBs in Week 12. He'll likely barely finish above 200 yards, with a low chance of multiple touchdowns and no rushing floor like Fields would provide.
