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Andy Dalton seems to have supplanted Jameis Winston as the starter for the New Orleans Saints in Week 9. Winston began the season as the starter for the Saints and Dalton was supposed to be the backup. But against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, the veteran quarterback was the one starting the game.
Dalton got his chance to start for the Saints after an injury to Winston in Week 2 of this season. The back and ankle injuries he sustained were a continuation of his misfortune with injuries over the last couple of seasons. He was out with an ACL injury last season as well.
From Week 2 to Week 8, therefore, the 35-year-old quarterback got a chance to shine for the Saints and he grabbed them with both hands. Dalton's average passer rating is 95.1 compared to 79.5 for Winston in their respective games for the Saints. Additionally, Winston has been sacked nearly four times per game compared to an average of around 1 per game for Dalton. His touchdown interception ratio per game is 1.8-0.8, while Winston stands at 1.3-1.8.
Andy Dalton fights his way past Jameis Winston
One particular statistic of note that has been observed by NFL analysts points to star running back Alvin Kamara, who was reportedly involved in a fight with a man at a Las Vegas club. He averages 7.3 catches for 59 yards per game with Andy Dalton and 3.7 catches and 36.7 yards with Winston. Kamara has been efficient with the experienced quarterback, according to the stats.
Hence, it makes sense for the Saints to drop Winston as the starter. They have a wildcard in Taysom Hill, listed as a tight end, who can come into games and make impact plays when needed. So, opposite him, the starting quarterback needs to be a smooth operator rather than someone who can make big plays.
There is no doubt that the change in preference has happened because while Winston was on the injury list until Week 8, there was nothing stopping him from participating against the Ravens this week. He was not injured and was not reported to be on the injury list either. He made it to all the practice sessions from Week 8 onwards as well.
Jameis Winston is fully healthy and the only reason not to start him points to him having become the backup quarterback for Andy Dalton now. Whether their loss to the Baltimore Ravens this week changes the equation remains to be seen.
