Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton has typically been a reliable passer that protects the football well, but that was not the case in the first half of Thursday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Dalton started his turnover-prone half of football in the first quarter with a goal-line interception in the back of the end zone by cornerback Antonio Hamilton.
A 15-play Saints drive results in an Andy Dalton red-zone interception. 🏈 #TNF pic.twitter.com/jmwwW5xvix
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 21, 2022
His next turnover came on a drop in the second quarter from Saints receiver Marquez Callaway, which Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson would proceed to catch and take all the way for an Arizona touchdown.
Well, that escalated quickly!
Andy Dalton threw two pick-sixes in the final two minutes of the half, and the Cardinals lead 28-14 at halftime.
Here's the first pick-six (which wasn't his fault). 🏈 #TNF pic.twitter.com/htCo2k8FcE
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 21, 2022
This interception certainly was not Dalton’s fault, but he would proceed to throw another interception that was also returned for a touchdown on the following possession, which was due to a terrible decision from Dalton.
And here's the second Andy Dalton pick-six (this one absolutely was his fault). 🏈 #TNF pic.twitter.com/H6FK2XXfXl
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 21, 2022
That last interception from Dalton in particular is indefensible, and many took to social media to express their frustrations about his poor performance.
Richard Sherman after Andy Dalton's rough first half, including three picks and two pick-sixes.
"If you're gonna have these turnovers, you might as well throw Jameis out there and give him a shot." pic.twitter.com/qikZkxwr8o
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 21, 2022
maybe Andy Dalton is just aiming to throw 13 interceptions in honor of Taylor Swift
— Megan Armstrong (@meganKarmstrong) October 21, 2022
If Andy Dalton starts the 2nd half I will call Dennis Allen a lot of not so nice words
— Aaron Ernest (@TheTrackMamba) October 21, 2022
Andy Dalton with the “I ain’t got it anymore” reaction pic.twitter.com/2l8SRCPr7Z
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 21, 2022
Back-to-back pick-6s by Andy Dalton? Uff, he really shouldn’t play at night, like, ever.
— Greg Pinelo (@gregpinelo) October 21, 2022
New Orleans actually moved the ball well in the first half, scoring 14 points with 256 total offensive yards, but these mistakes by Dalton were the story of the first two quarters.
There have been talks of Dalton ultimately taking the starting job from Jameis Winston even when he is able to return.
Saints head coach Dennis Allen previously said that he is “unsure” of the team’s starting quarterback situation once Winston is ready to go.
You would have to think that this half will certainly make Allen rethink the possibility of Dalton remaining the team’s starter.
Winston turns the ball over more frequently than Andy Dalton, but he very clearly provides much more upside to the Saints’ offense than Dalton does.
If this half is a sign of things to come from Dalton, he could find his role drastically change in New Orleans very quickly.
