Andy Dalton Prone To Picks In Advance Of Playing Denver Broncos

Browns defensive end Jabaal Sheard tips a pass by Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) at Cleveland Browns Stadium. (David Richard-US PRESSWIRE)

When looking at Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton’s stats you see that he’s thrown 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions through 7 games. Behind Tony Romo (13 INTs), Dalton is tied for second with Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel for the most interceptions in the league.

“His interceptions haven’t necessarily been actually a product of Andy,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. “A couple of them have, but he’s not forced the ball into coverage, and we don’t want him to change that. We want him to keep doing what he’s doing. He had three in one game, and not one of them was really his interception.”

The 2011 2nd round draft pick out of TCU brought his team to the playoffs with a 9-7 record, but lost to the Houston Texans in the wild card round. The team went 4-12 the year before.

Last season, Dalton threw 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in the regular season.

“Even though they’re up, we have to keep him playing within himself and don’t panic,” Lewis said of Dalton’s interceptions.

Dalton has been sacked 17 times already this season. With pressure up front, the Broncos can force him into more turnovers.

Against the Broncos last September, Dalton went 27-for-41 for 332 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also didn’t have to contend with the secondary that the Broncos have this go around. Champ Bailey was inactive last year, Chris Harris was still a young undrafted, unproven cornerback, and the team didn’t have Tracy Porter.

As Lewis wants to keep his confidence up, Dalton could be in for a rude awakening this time around.

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