The question has been answered: Andy Dalton is the starting quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, and health is no longer part of the conversation.
Dennis Allen confirmed Wednesday afternoon on a conference call with reporters that the veteran would remain the starting quarterback as the Saints host the Las Vegas Raiders. Allen also noted that Jameis Winston, who has been recovering from back and ankle injuries, was a full participant in practice.
"I feel like he's played well offensively. I feel like we're a little bit of a rhythm. We've been moving the ball effectively," Allen said. "Again, we've scored points, and so we're going to continue down that road with Andy as the quarterback."
The Saints head coach referred to the choice as an "offensive decision," with the performance of the team's offense the last several weeks with Dalton under center.
The team has been one of the top offenses in the NFL so far as moving the ball and scoring points, "and that's the name of the game," Allen said.
And the numbers would bear that statement out. The Saints are No. 3 overall in yards per game and No. 7 in scoring despite a minus-10 turnover differential. The Saints have averaged 31 points per game in Dalton's starts, but have a 1-3 record. Winston started the first three games of the season, and led a comeback in Atlanta for a season-opening win. He struggled with back and ankle injuries during losses to the Bucs and Panthers, and handed over the reins for the first time prior to a Week 4 loss to the Vikings in London.
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When pressed, Allen confirmed that Winston's health wasn't a factor, but he did leave the door open for more debate should the offense stumble going forward.
"We're converting third downs. We're scoring points. We're moving the ball. There's a lot of things that we're doing really well offensively and, you know, I didn't feel like there was any need to upset the applecart there," Allen said. "We'll keep going how we are and if we continue to do that, then then we'll stay the course."
The decision carries added weight for a team that, despite starting 2-5, rightfully believes it is squarely in contention for the playoffs in the NFC South, where no team has a record better than 3-4. Dalton now carries that added pressure to kickstart a run to the playoffs.
The numbers are encouraging despite the three losses, with the 35-year-old connecting on 83 of 131 throws for 946 yards and 7 touchdowns. He also has five turnovers, three of which proved very costly in a Thursday Night Football loss to the Arizona Cardinals. One came midway through the first half with the Saints threatening in the red zone, and then came back-to-back pick-6s that turned a close game into an easy Cardinals victory. The first pick-6 bounced off the hands of Marquez Callaway into the waiting arms of Marco Wilson. Head coach Dennis Allen also excused the second pick-6 considering Dalton was hit on the play, and it's clear the team feels despite the 1-3 start, the veteran gives the Saints the best chance to win right now.
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