Andy Dalton turns into a pumpkin after dark.

Dalton

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from the week, and reviewed all week 10 games including the Browns/Steelers.

Admittedly the pumpkin reference was way too easy given the “Browns-lite” Bengal jerseys worn in the game against the Texans. But yet again Bengal QB Andy Dalton turned into a pumpkin after the sun went down. And this should not surprise anyone that listens to NNR or is a Bengal fan. We have seen it in every playoff disaster since he has been the starter.

Samantha and I thought it might happen in the Thursday game vs the Browns and there were signs but the Browns were so bad that no Dalton fold could have tipped the scales to the opponent.

The issue for the Texans was simple—Pressure Andy and good things will happen. They did and won the game behind a guy that had been their 3rd string QB until Ryan Mallet imploded. The Texan D pressured Andy and in perfect form Andy folded like a discount accordion. He only completed 57% of his throws for just 5.1 yards per attempt. But Dalton was not at all alone in folding after dark.

When the situation was critical after the Texans scored the only TD of the game, Dalton and his receivers caught the “yippes” at the same time. Dalton threw the ball right in the hands of TE Tyler Eifert but he could not hold on. The final blow came when Dalton hit is most reliable WR A.J. Green and he fumbled the ball ending the last chance for a Bengal win.

For all of those fans that thought or hoped that Dalton had changed I say “not so fast my friend.” The Bengals have continued to get better each year since making the playoffs. But without a playoff QB,

their chances of advancing in the playoffs are slim. You can’t change a tiger’s strips.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think by commenting here or tweeting me @NNRonDSN.

NOTE: News, Notes and Rumors podcast are BACK. Check out our thoughts on Fridays about the games coming up and Monday on the results of the weekend. My co-host is Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports. Podcasts can be heard on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Thanks for your support.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits https://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

He also edits .

To keep up with the News, Notes & Rumors podcasts, follow me on twitter @NNRonDSN.

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