Thursday night the Bengals will take on the Washington Redskins in the second week of the preseason and one week before the ever-important dress rehearsal game in Week 3. Andy Dalton will look to capitalize and continue his impressive preseason start. During the first game against the Chiefs on Saturday night Dalton was seven of nine and 80 yards before exiting the game. Typically, in preseason stats do not matter and should not count for anything. But when a quarterback is that efficient, you should take notice.
Absent during the first week of the preseason was obviously wide receiver A.J. Green as he continues rehabbing his ankle injury. Also, absent from Saturday’s game were running backs, Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard. It should be noted they missed some practices during the week but were said to be healthy enough to play. Sounds like a cautionary move in a game that has less meaning than the pro bowl. I would expect both players to receive a few snaps this Thursday.
The Zac Taylor led offense only managed 17 points against the Chiefs but again this is only preseason, and the starters didn’t play the entire game. The first seven points did come from the starters with the few mentioned stars out of the lineup so there is a reason to be optimistic in 2019.
But again, can Dalton keep this streak going in Weeks 2 and 3 before he is likely shutdown before their season opener with the Seahawks in Seattle. Not a great way to start the season. Then having to travel back to Cincinnati to face the 49ers and a defensive line hungry to make a name for itself. With the troubles the Bengals have on their offensive line, Dalton will need to get the ball out quickly he plans on moving up and down the field.
Again, stats in the preseason do not matter and shouldn’t really be looked at. But Dalton has a nice impressive start in the stat box and if the Bengals are going to compete he will need to be that efficient moving forward.
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