ICYMI: What to expect in Year 3 from Andy Dalton

Jan 5, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton before the AFC wild card playoff game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

As the Bengals enter their third season with Andy Dalton at the helm, everyone from analysts to fans say it is time for him to take the next step.  Dalton has done a lot of things well in the past two season and led the Bengals to back to back playoff appearances and back to back winning seasons for the first time in a generation.  Andy Dalton is poised to have a break out year, and with the firepower around him, there is no reason not to think that he will lead the Bengals deep into the postseason.

Dalton came onto the scene in the lockout year of 2011, when not much was expected of the Bengals.  In fact, ESPN power rankings had the Bengals as the 32nd ranked team when the season began.  He quickly led the Bengals to a 6-2 start, and finished the season on a not so stellar 3-5 bout and a playoff loss at the hands of the Houston Texans.  The main receiving threats in 2011 included A.J. Green, Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell, and Jermaine Gresham, of which Green and Gresham remained on the 2012 roster.