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CINCINNATI -- Quarterback Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals ranks third in the NFL with 1,234 passing yards through four games, despite playing without Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert. Dalton ranks second in the league with an average of 8.45 yards per attempt and is on pace to shatter the franchise record in passing yards despite having two new receivers -- Brandon LaFell and Tyler Boyd -- surrounding A.J. Green, and a first-year offensive coordinator in Ken Zampese.
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"His vertical throws have been spot on," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "And that's where he's getting that good yards per attempt. His ability to throw the ball based on the look has been really good, as always."
If there's a blemish on Dalton's season to this point it's that the Bengals are 2-2 heading into Sunday's game at Dallas, with the team ranking dead last in the NFL in red zone efficiency.
Part of that can be attributed to Eifert's absence and lack of a consistent running game, which improved somewhat the last two weeks.
"The guys we're playing with hadn't played in a lot of games before," Dalton said of backup tight ends Tyler Kroft and C.J. Uzomah. "They're getting better every week."
Unfortunately, the Bengals haven't been able to convert Dalton's yardage into touchdowns. On 13 possessions inside the opponent's 20-yard line, Cincinnati has scored only four touchdowns, settling for eight field goals.
The Bengals rank 28th in the league in rushing offense, with barely 80 yards per game, leaving Dalton somewhat exposed. Dalton has been sacked 13 times, and has checked away from running plays often this season.
"We're going to do whatever it takes to win," Dalton said. "Some of these weeks, we've been able to throw a lot. Whatever's the best way for us to score. If (passing yards) are up there, so be it. If it's not, it's not."
Dalton said the adjustment going from Hue Jackson to Zampese hasn't been a difficult one. That stands to reason since Zampese was the Bengals quarterbacks coach for 12 seasons, including each of Dalton's first five years.
There's familiarity and continuity in their relationship.
"There's been some subtle changes," Dalton said. "We've been able to hit some big plays and get the ball down the field, so that's been good to see. We've been real comfortable with the way Ken has been calling the plays."
Dalton hoped to pick up where he left off after sustaining a season-ending thumb fracture late last season. Through the first month of the 2016 campaign, he appears to be better than ever.
One thing that's stood out for Dalton over the last two seasons is how well he's been able to protect the ball. His interception total increased each of his first three seasons in the NFL, peaking at 20 in this third season in 2013.
Dalton threw 17 picks the following year, but in his breakout 2015 season, he had only seven interceptions while passing for more than 3,200 yards and 25 touchdowns before the thumb injury.
"It's just being smart with the ball," Dalton said. "Knowing when you can take chances. When you can fit one in, or check it down, make a play out of the pocket. I needed to do a better job of that.
"I definitely feel more confident now than I did in my first or second year. If you don't turn the ball over, you give yourself a better chance to win."
Heading into the game against the Cowboys, the focus remains on finishing in the red zone. Moving the ball as well as they have, it's been crushing for the Bengals to continually come away with three points, not six.
"We have to take advantage of every chance we get," Dalton said. "We left some things out there. We're looking forward to a good October."
SERIES HISTORY: 12th regular-season meeting. Cowboys lead series, 7-4, including 5-1 as the home team. The Bengals haven't beaten the Cowboys in Dallas since a 38-24 win in 1988.
--Tight end Tyler Eifert (left ankle) appears to be have suffered a setback in his recovery. On Monday, he was in the locker room with a noticeable limp. On Wednesday, he didn't practice at all. Head coach Marvin Lewis has remained mum on a timeline for Eifert's return, which is interesting since as of two weeks ago it appeared almost imminent.
"I have no idea," Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton said when asked about Eifert's status for Sunday's game at Dallas. "He has to go through the process to make sure he's healthy. I want him back as soon as he can come back. He's one of the best tight ends in the league."
The Bengals miss Eifert's presence, particularly in the red zone where they rank 32nd in the NFL in scoring efficiency.
--Even though the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott don't make it a habit to throw deep, they might take some shots against a Bengals secondary, which appears susceptible. Cincinnati has allowed touchdown passes of 74, 55, and 41 yards the last two weeks. Bengals defensive backs say there isn't one common element result in opponents' big plays, but a series of individual errors. "It's disappointing, because we're better than that", said safety George Iloka. "DBs need to have short memories. Just need to work on the little things." Prescott is averaging 7.7 yards per completion. Iloka said despite the Cowboys' tendency to stay underneath coverage, the Bengals believe they'll be tested. "The one thing you think a team's not going to do, they'll do," he said. "You have to prepare for everything."
--Defensive end Will Clarke, a third-year defensive end, came into training camp looking to earn snaps, at least enough to open up a spot for him on the 53-man roster. The West Virginia product has done much more than that through four games. Clarke has five tackles and three sacks, and he's played well enough to not only become a regular part of the rotation, but a guy who opposing defenses must account for.
