Sometimes the stats really do tell the whole story. Like these stats: Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton’s numbers in the first 10 minutes tonight were 1-for-7 for five yards, with an interception.
Dalton was absolutely terrible in the early going, throwing an awful pass that Browns linebacker Craig Robertson picked off and returned 15 yards to give the Browns the ball inside the 20-yard line. Cleveland converted that into a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
On Cincinnati’s next drive the Bengals had to punt, but Browns return man Jim Leonhard fumbled, setting the Bengals up deep in Cleveland territory. On the ensuing possession, Dalton made one of the most boneheaded plays you’ll ever see from an NFL quarterback, running four yards past the line of scrimmage and then throwing a forward pass. As every high school quarterback should know, that’s a penalty.
The Bengals did manage to salvage a field goal, and they trail 7-3.
