Bengals name Andy Dalton starter for Week 13

The Cincinnati Bengals are abandoning the Ryan Finley experiment after three weeks.

First year head coach Zac Taylor announced after their 0-8 start that the Bengals would make a move at quarterback. After their bye in Week 9, they started rookie Ryan Finley for three consecutive games. Finley and the Bengals lost all three, and they currently sit at a league-worst 0-11.

Since the rookie failed to give the team a spark, Taylor announced on Monday that the team would move back to veteran Andy Dalton.

In his eight starts in 2019, Dalton has thrown nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has completed just over 60 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,252 yards. This is a far cry from his latest Pro Bowl season (in 2016), when he had eight interceptions over all 16 games.

Ryan Finley, in comparison, has thrown two touchdowns and two interceptions in his three games. One of those interceptions was a pick-six against Baltimore. He is completing less than 50 percent of his passes, and has thrown for only 474 yards.

The stats just are not there for either quarterback. Both have not played well and it has contributed to the worst start in franchise history for Cincinnati. But it seems as if Zac Taylor favors the experience of Dalton to win them at least one game down the stretch, to avoid going 0-16.

The Bengals continue their season with a very winnable game against the New York Jets on Sunday, December 12.

Featured Image courtesy of Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports

You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers along with Ben! 

Check out Eli and Ben’s Podcast “Courtside Ramblings” on SoundCloud or iTunes — TGH Podcast Feed

“From Our Haus to Yours“