Whose Going to Show Up Against Cleveland? Prime Time Andy Dalton or Someone Who Can Win a Game?

Andy Dalton has done well with the Cincinnati Bengals in his 3+ seasons in the NFL. Enough so that the team signed him to a nice, fat six-year, $115 million contract extension. If you look at the body of work he has produced he's earned it. However, there are many that took issue with the extension because of one glaring smudge on his record.

He seems to flop when it matters most and the nation is watching.

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Dalton has taken the Bengals to the post season in each of his first three seasons; something only four other guys have accomplished. The problem many fans have had is how he's performed once he got there:

• vs Texans (1/27/12): 27/42 for 257 yards, three INTs, four sacks
• vs Texans (1/5/13): 14/30 for 127 yards, one INT, two sacks
• vs Chargers (1/5/14): 29/51 for 334 yards, one TD, two INTs, three sacks

Not good.

While the post season is what people have complained the most about when it comes to Dalton you have to take a look at some of his prime time games as well. 

• Against the Colts on Sunday Night Football he was 18/38 for 126 yards in a shutout loss.
• Against New England (a Sunday night game) he was not bad (15/24 for 204 yards, two TDs), but far from enough to win.
• Last season on Thursday night he was 32/53 for 338 yards and three INTs in an OT loss to Miami

Everyone has bad games though, right? This is all just coincidence--isn't it? Well--the theory will certainly be put to the test Thursday night when the Cleveland Browns come to town. 

The Browns have not won a division game away from home in 17 tries. The Bengals have not lost at home in 14 games, and have won the last five over the Browns.

History favors the Bengals--unless your superstitious. The game is in prime time and has control of the division at stake. A win will give the Bengals a leg up going forward (3-0 in the division). A win for the Browns will move them in to a tie for first with the Steelers.

So which competing force will win out? The power of home field or the curse of prime time?

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