Week 16 at Houston
Despite a rushing touchdown, Andy Dalton's day against the Steelers was a bust. He only threw for 157 yards without a TD and also threw an interception. Dalton is now playing the season out, as the Bengals will not be in the postseason. The good news is he will get A.J. Green back, so that should help.
It won't be easy this week in Houston, who is ranked eighth in aFPA to quarterbacks. Even with Green back, Dalton's effectiveness should be limited. Keep him on the bench for Week 16.
Week 15 vs Pittsburgh
Andy Dalton had an efficient game against Cleveland last Sunday. He only thew for 180 yards, but had two touchdowns without a pick. It was Dalton's lowest passing yardage total of the season, as Cincinnati was in control most of the day, so the passing game was very conservative.
This week, he will face his nemesis Pittsburgh, who is third in aFPA to quarterbacks and is playing much better defense than they were when the two teams met in Week 2 (when Dalton threw for 366 yards and a touchdown). Dalton has struggled historically against the Steelers, and that puts a red flag up for Week 15. Keep him on the bench.
Week 14 at Cleveland
Andy Dalton had one of his strongest performances last week against Philly, throwing for 332 yards and two touchdowns. It was his highest passing yard total since Week 2 and the first time he threw multiple touchdowns in a game since Week 7.
The good news is Dalton might be in line for another strong performance this week. He will play Cleveland who is 25th in aFPA to quarterbacks. Dalton threw for 308 yards and two touchdowns in the earlier meeting this season. He had thrown for seven touchdowns in the past three meetings with the Browns without a pick.
Dalton would be a probable starter this week, but the game is on the road and there is supposed to be a snow storm in Cleveland, which should affect the passing game. Keep Dalton on the bench, as he comes in as a high-end QB2 for Week 14.
Week 13 vs Philadelphia
Andy Dalton threw for 283 yards last week, which his biggest passing day since Week 7. However, it took 48 pass attempts and yielded just one touchdown. The bigger news is star wide receiver AJ Green will be out again, which takes the best offensive player on the Bengals off the field.
Not that Dalton was impressing anyone with Green, but the injury pushes Dalton down the QB rankings even more. The Eagles pass defense has been pretty good, so keep Dalton on the bench as a low-end QB2 for Week 13.
Week 12 at Baltimore
With AJ Green and Giovani Bernard out, the Bengals offense will take a big step back as a unit. This means Andy Dalton is not even on the radar to be in your starting lineup now. If he is on your roster, send him to the waiver wire.
Week 11 vs Buffalo
Last week was another pedestrian outing for Andy Dalton last week, throwing for 204 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Dalton has only thrown for 300+ yards three times this season and two of those were in Weeks 1 and 2. More importantly, he has only thrown multiple touchdowns in games twice this season.
Dalton faced Buffalo last season and threw for 243 yards and three touchdowns, but that seems a long time ago compared to how he has played this season. The Bills defense is average against opposing quarterbacks, ranked 17th in aFPA this year.
Dalton has not been named a fantasy starter too much this year, and we aren't going to name him one for Week 11. Keep him on the bench.
Week 10 at New York Giants
Through the halfway point of season, Andy Dalton is averaging 293 passing yards per game with 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Not overwhelming numbers but he has had his fantasy moments during the season.
Dalton has a tough matchup on Monday night on the road against the Giants. New York is 5th in aFPA to quarterbacks. Dalton has helped his cause with two rushing touchdowns in the last three games, but the matchup keeps him on the bench for Week 10.
Week 8 vs Washington
Not surprisingly, Andy Dalton had his best game of the season last week against Cleveland, throwing for 308 yards and two touchdowns. Dalton has not thrown an interception since Week 3 and has been steady although fantasy owners would probably like to see more TD passes. The one thing to note last week was he threw a season-low 28 pass attempts.
Dalton will face Washington this week who is 11th in aFPA to quarterbacks. The Bengals will be at home and a favorite so it should be a good week to play Dalton.
Start Dalton Week 8 as a low-end QB1 and expect him to throw multiple touchdowns again this week and keep playing mistake-free football.
Week 7 vs Cleveland
Andy Dalton threw for 254 yards and a touchdown last week against New England. The QB has been up an down in 2016, but his touchdown rate is alarmingly low (6 in 6 games). Luckily for Dalton, the Browns are coming to town.
Cleveland is 31st in aFPA to quarterbacks. Dalton lit them up in both meetings in 2015, averaging 227 yards but a total of five touchdowns in the two games. The Bengals should have an offensive field day so expect Dalton to put up some of his best fantasy numbers of the season. Start him as a solid QB1 for Week 7.
Week 6 at New England
Andy Dalton continues to put up solid numbers, but is still not overwhelming fantasy owners with his performances. Last week, he threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas. He is averaging 300 passing yards per game, but has only five touchdowns total in five games.
Dalton will face the Patriots in Foxborough on Sunday. He faced them twice in 2013 & 2014 and averaged 208 yards with two TDs and one INT. New England is 26th in aFPA to quarterbacks, but even with that matchup, Dalton's numbers don't get him into the top 10 for Week 6. Keep him on the bench as a solid QB2.
