Dalton, offense focusing on finishing drives
CINCINNATI — Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and the firstteam offense have yet to score a touchdown in the preseason.
But the early struggles are nothing new for Dalton and the veterans around him. In past seasons, the group has shown the ability to correct the flaws and find a way to pierce the end zone in the dressrehearsal game, which is what Sunday’s third preseason game, at Washington, will be.
In the first two games last year, Dalton directed four drives, and only one resulted in a touchdown.
In the first two games in 2015, Dalton led eight drives, only one of which ended in a touchdown.
But by the time the third game rolled Quarterback Andy Dalton and the Bengals’ first-team offense have not scored a touchdown this preseason.
around, the offense clicked. Last year, the Bengals scored two touchdowns in the three drives that Dalton led at Jacksonville. And in 2015, Dalton directed a 16-play, 77-yard drive in his only series against Chicago.
“You’d like to see
it all the time,” coach Marvin Lewis said of preseason production. “The big thing is just the execution. The drives have stalled because we haven’t executed there at the point.
“If we got the ball in the red zone, we failed to get in and make
another first down where you’re within striking distance for a touchdown. We haven’t had many snaps inside the 10-yard line because we’ve failed to make that next first down.”
The first drive this preseason lasted 12 plays and covered 65
yards, with the Bengals reaching the Tampa Bay 5-yard line. But Dalton threw an interception on third-and-2 and had to wait eight days for a shot at redemption.
Last week against Kansas City, the opening drive again lasted for 12 plays. But on thirdand-9 at the Chiefs 29, Dalton threw high and wide of receiver A.J. Green, and the ball went through his hands. The Bengals settled for a field goal.
The second drive was a three-and-out after a second-down sack, and the third drive covered 61 yards in 11 plays but bogged down again in the red zone when Dalton couldn’t connect with Green on an end-zone fade on third-and-2.
“We just need to finish drives,” Dalton said. “We’ve gotten down there, we’ve moved the ball well. We just have to finish. We’ve got to do that this week.”
That, of course, will be the mission again Sunday against the Redskins.
Dalton said he expects to play the first half, and he also expects to have rookie receiver John Ross, a first-round pick, available for the first time.
“You’re playing games, and anytime you’re out there, you want to win, you want to score, you want to be at your best,” Dalton said.