Saints to Start Andy Dalton Against Bengals in Week 6

The Cincinnati Bengals will face off against a familiar face when they visit the New Orleans Saints in Week 6. Saints head coach Dennis Allen declared the team will start quarterback Andy Dalton against the team that drafted him this Sunday.

Once again, the #Saints will start QB Andy Dalton, per coach Dennis Allen.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 14, 2022

Dalton will start for the third straight game as opening-day starter Jameis Winston continues to recuperate from ankle and back injuries. Dalton has played effectively in relief of the former first-overall pick, leading the Saints to a 1-1 record with his 423 passing yards and two touchdown passes.

The Saints could very well be better off with Dalton as their starter. They've averaged 32 points and two turnovers per game the past two weeks compared to 17 points and 3 turnovers per game under Winston in the first three.

Dennis Allen said QB Andy Dalton will start on Sunday pic.twitter.com/R1eog47Cm3
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 14, 2022

Dalton entered the league as the Bengals' 35th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He made three Pro Bowls and passed for 31594 yards and 204 touchdowns over 133 starts with the team. He led the team to five straight winning seasons to begin his career, but an ugly 2019 season led to a 2-14 finish for the Bengals and the eventual drafting of quarterback Joe Burrow first overall.

By some strange coincidence, this will be Dalton's third game against the Bengals in as many seasons. He won both of his previous starts, first with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, and then with the Chicago Bears last year.