It was a pretty slow news day in the NFL yesterday, but there was one transaction from the Queen City that caught some attention.
Quarterback Andy Dalton was released from the Cincinnati Bengals after nine years with the team. He produced well overall for a second-round pick out of TCU, becoming the all-time team leader in touchdown throws and second in passing yards.
Despite those stats, Dalton was never considered nearly as good as his predecessor, Carson Palmer. Dalton helped lead Cincy to the playoffs five times, but lost every one. Contrast that to former beloved Bengals’ quarterback Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason who each made a Super Bowl in the 1980s, albeit in a losing effort.
Bengals predicted for 5.5 wins
Dalton was scheduled to make $17 Million this year and with the team drafting LSU quarterback Joe Burrow No. 1 overall, there was no way owner Mike Brown was going to pay that for a backup. Some of the potential landing spots for Dalton are New England and Jacksonville, where theoretically starting jobs are up for grabs. Denver and Pittsburgh could be good places for him to land as a backup.
You might be asking yourself how does the Dalton news affect the betting odds? Well, the Regular Season Win Total for the Bengals is 5.5 at Winning Poker Network Sportsbooks. You have to pay more juice for the Over at -140. The Under pays +116.
Burrow would likely be ready to start Day 1 in a normal year, but there is a legitimate question whether that’s the case now with the shortened offseason. Ryan Finley is the backup, but his arm isn’t great and he didn’t impress in limited action last year. The fans definitely don’t want to see Finley starting any games this season.
I believe that the Dalton news increases the chances of Cincinnati going Under the 5.5 Regular Season Win Total.
