Andy Dalton guided the Cincinnati Bengals to an overtime victory over the Seattle Seahawks, but the fifth-year quarterback was quick to praise the defending NFC champions after the game.
According to Michael Silver of NFL Media, Dalton said Seattle, despite its early-season struggles, could rip off 11 consecutive wins.
“Hey, this is a really good team. Yeah, they’re 2-3, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they end the year 13-3, because they’re that good.”
Seattle dropped two straight games to open the season—which coincided with starting safety Kam Chancellor refusing to show up—and needed a couple victories to get back on track while the Arizona Cardinals jumped out to a hot start.
Fortunately for the Seahawks, they went up against the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions in successive weeks before losing to Cincinnati.
But, even after falling to 2-3, would 11 straight wins be a realistic finish?
After matchups with the somewhat-unproven 4-0 Carolina Panthers and struggling San Francisco 49ers, Seattle avoids Tony Romo when it battles the Dallas Cowboys and has a bye week to prepare for Arizona. If the Seahawks emerge that favorable stretch at 4-0, the 11-win talk should heat up.
For now, though, chalk it up to Dalton simply handing out a compliment for a talented team that’s trying to regain its 2014 form.