Third-year QB Andy Dalton on best 3-game span in Bengals history with 11 TDs

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton walks off the field after the Bengals defeated the New York Jets 49-9 in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Cincinnati. Dalton threw five touchdown passes in the game. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman) (The Associated Press)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) congratulates wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) after they combined on their third touchdown pass of the game in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl) (The Associated Press)

CINCINNATI – Andy Dalton has heard all the talk: He can't win a big game, his arm isn't strong enough to complete the long pass, he'll never be more than a caretaker quarterback.

His last three games have changed the conversation.

The third-year quarterback is on the best three-game stretch in Bengals history. He's thrown 11 touchdown passes — no other Bengals quarterback has done that — while hitting every type of throw.

Cincinnati (6-2) is in control of the AFC North in large part because its quarterback has grown this season. He's thrown for 300 yards in three straight games. Ken Anderson is the only other Bengals quarterback to do that, and they share the number 14.

The Bengals play at Miami (3-4) on Thursday night.

___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org