Bengals’ Winners and Losers vs. Panthers

Oct 12, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) celebrates a touchdown by running back Jeremy Hill (not pictured) during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals and the Panthers tie in overtime 37-37. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Winner- Andy Dalton

Outside of the single bad throw (the one which resulted in an interception by Roman Harper), Andy Dalton showed well again yesterday; the Antone Cason interception had more to do with the hit to his elbow than a poor throw as Dalton looked to be throwing to the endzone with both Dane Sanzenbacher and Brandon Tate heading there. Nonetheless, while the Bengals rushing attacked struggled, outside of Giovani Bernard’s 89-yard scamper…

…Dalton and the passing game carried the day.  He finished the day 33/43 for 323 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.  It’s rare to see Dalton throw so often while the game lies with his arm and nearly come away with a victory.  Dalton did about as much as he could while the running game and defense struggled.

One could argue that Dalton needs to come away with a victory or uplift the team as the quarterback and those arguments wouldn’t be necessarily untrue.  But this team is supposed to be carried by the running game and defense, both of which faltered.  Dalton did his part today and the Bengals should win nearly every game where Dalton performs like this going forward.