Week 1 at Indianapolis Colts
Andy Dalton begins his eighth season as the Bengals quarterback and he still feels he has something to prove. He had career-lows in completion percentage and yards per catch.
The good news for Dalton is that he has A.J. Green. Even better news this week is that the Colts' pass defense is below-average. So, maybe some success is in store for the Bengals in Week 1. However, we still don't see enough to recommend starting Dalton. He does rate as a high-end QB2, but that still puts him on the bench in most traditional leagues for the opener.
Fantasy Upside
The Bengals still consider Andy Dalton their starting quarterback, meaning he will have every opportunity to bounce back and produce the numbers he did two seasons ago. A.J. McCarron, who some thought should get Dalton's job, is gone. The Bengals will live or die with Dalton in 2018. In Dalton's favor of a bounce-back season is an improved offensive line and adequate offensive weapons around him, unless you think A.J. Green is still not an elite receiver. A healthy Tyler Eifert would also be a big boost.
Fantasy Downside
Dalton threw only 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last season. Not exactly a good ratio. He also only threw for over 300 yards in a game once and threw for more than two touchdowns in only three games. He was pretty much a fantasy dud last season.
2018 Bottom Line
Right now, Dalton is nothing but depth and a low-end QB2 option. There is a chance for him to bounce back, but it's also a good bet he might be headed towards the downward portion of his career at the age of 30. You are probably better off drafting someone a little more risky with a higher ceiling than Dalton for your backup. He should go undrafted in most standard leagues. His ADP of 180 is about right.
Week 17 at Baltimore Ravens
Andy Dalton is finishing the season as he started off—throwing a lot of interceptions. He has four picks in the last three games. It's been a bad season overall for the Red Rifle, both on the field and on the fantasy ledger.
Dalton faces a Ravens defense this week ranked first in aFPA to quarterbacks. Dalton faced Baltimore back in Week 1 and threw four interceptions, so this is a bad matchup. Keep Dalton on the bench for Week 17.
Week 16 vs. Detroit Lions
Andy Dalton completed just 50% of his passes from the pocket—with 2 interceptions—in Week 15. After a decent midseason run, Dalton has performed poorly the past two weeks and the Bengals are on a three-game losing streak. And who knows how much he will even play as backup A.J. McCarron could see some action in a lost season.
The Lions are up next and are ranked 26th in aFPA to quarterbacks. Even with a great matchup, the Bengals have seemed to pack it in the last two weeks, averaging only seven points per game. Keep Dalton on the bench for Week 16.
Week 15 at Minnesota Vikings
Andy Dalton and the Bengals offense played poorly last Sunday against Chicago—the Bengals scored only 1 touchdown. Dalton's numbers weren't great, throwing for 141 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. It was his first pick since Week 7, so he had been playing okay in the past month.
It won't be easy this week in Minnesota against the Vikings, who are ranked ninth in aFPA to quarterbacks. The Bengals haven't given up on Dalton, but this is definitely not the week to expect any good fantasy numbers from him. Keep him on the bench as one of the worst fantasy quarterbacks for Week 15.
Week 14 vs. Chicago Bears
Andy Dalton had a solid game against the Steelers on Monday throwing for 234 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. However, his team couldn't hold on to a 17-0 lead and are probably out of the playoff picture. Dalton is in no danger of being benched at this time so he should remain a fantasy option at times.
The Bengals face the Bears, who are ranked ninth in aFPA to quarterbacks. Dalton has been better as of late, not throwing an interception in six games while connecting for 11 touchdown passes.
Even with his better play, we don't like the matchup for Dalton against the Bears, so keep him on the bench for Week 14.
Week 13 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Andy Dalton has now gone five games without an interception and has thrown 5 touchdowns over the last two games. His yardage totals have remained low, but he has played better in the recent weeks.
Dalton will face the Steelers this week, who are ranked 10th in aFPA to quarterbacks. In the first meeting with Pittsburgh this season, Dalton threw 2 touchdown passes but also 2 interceptions and finished with only 140 yards.
Dalton has never fared well against the Steelers and probably won't in Week 13. Keep him on the bench as he doesn't even rate as a QB2 this Sunday.
Week 12 vs. Cleveland Browns
Andy Dalton threw for only 154 yards last week, but the consolation prize was the 3 touchdown throws. Considering he only completed 15 passes, that's an impressive number. Dalton has now gone four games without the interceptions that plagued him early in the season.
It's a great matchup for the Bengals who host the Browns this week. Cleveland is 30th in aPFA to quarterbacks this season. Dalton threw for 286 yards and 4 touchdowns in the first meeting between the two back on October 1st.
Even with favorable matchups, Dalton has not been putting up QB1 numbers. It just hasn't been a good season for the Bengals offense overall. Dalton ranks as a QB2 for Week 12, so keep him on the bench.
Week 11 at Denver Broncos
Andy Dalton was solid in last week's loss at Tennessee. He threw for 265 yards and 2 touchdowns and now has gone three straight games without an interception. Dalton has had an up-and-down 2017, but still has shown some positives that made him the Bengals' franchise quarterback.
Dalton will face the Broncos, who are ranked 12th in aFPA to quarterbacks. The Bengals are probably not going to make the playoffs so Dalton might be playing for his future at quarterback.
It hasn't been a good fantasy year for Dalton despite the good performance last week. The losses keep piling up and Dalton's numbers rank him as low-end QB2 for Sunday.
Week 10 at Tennessee Titans
Andy Dalton had season-lows in attempts, completions and passing yardage last week against Jacksonville as his roller coaster season continues. It was the first time since Week 2 he did not throw a touchdown. It's been hard to predict which Dalton you are going to get each week.
He has a decent matchup against Tennessee who is ranked 22nd in aFPA to quarterbacks. The inconsistency has hurt Dalton's fantasy value and for Week 10, keep him on the bench as he ranks a QB2.
