Andy Dalton did his best to stave off the Bengals landing LSU QB Joe Burrow in April’s draft with a furious fourth-quarter rally to force the game into overtime, after the Bengals trailed 35-13.
Unfortunately, the Bengals couldn’t hold Miami at the end of overtime, Jason Sanders kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired, and the Bengals fell to 1-14 in the year with a 38-35 overtime loss.
The loss means the Bengals have officially clinched the first pick in the 2020 NFL draft and Joe Burrow better start packing his bags for Cincinnati.
With Joe Mixon fighting a stomach bug, Dalton had to shoulder a lot of the load. Even though Mixon still received 21 carries, he didn’t do a lot with them, totaling just 50 yards on the ground.
Dalton finished 33/56 for 396 yards and four touchdowns, three of which came in the fourth quarter. But the offense sputtered in overtime with a pair of three-and-outs. Miami got into Cincinnati territory, ran the clock down and sent Cincinnati packing to the top spot in the draft with one game left.
Cincinnati has one game left against the Cleveland Browns. Then all eyes will be on Burrow in the draft process. LSU actually plays their semifinal game against Oklahoma the day before the Bengals take the field for Week 17. If LSU wins, it’s on to the championship game on January 13 and then possibly the Senior Bowl and the Combine.
Andy Dalton is at least making his final moments as a Bengals fun. But the clock is officially ticking on Dalton’s time as a Bengal. And the Bengals are unofficially officially on the clock.
