Colts vs. Bengals: Comparing Andy Dalton and Curtis Painter in Week 6

The Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) will return to Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday to play host to an Indianapolis Colts (0-5) team that is struggling to get off the ground in 2011.

Without Peyton Manning in town to run the show, Curtis Painter will find himself in a very difficult position against the league's No. 1 defense on Sunday.

I can't help but wonder that, had the lockout dragged on a little longer, Andy Dalton might be feeling the same sort of disappointment as Curtis Painter undoubtedly is.

Being cast into a starting spot when you're under-prepared is a recipe for disaster. Whether you're a rookie or a backup, there's no replacement for a few weeks notice and your coaches' undivided attention.

Unfortunately for Painter, circumstance has reared it's head, and the man formerly known as the butt of every NFL joke is seeing extended game time. Despite Painter's familiarity with the system, he will continue to suffer the same gripes as Andy Dalton with timing (whether in the pocket or with his offensive line) being a significant obstacle. Painter will take time in establishing a rhythm with his receivers—something that he has begun to make some real strides with. 

Remind you of someone? These are the same concerns that Bengals fans worried about in the early-going of 2011. Dalton took time to get on the same wavelength as his receivers, and he is starting to look comfortable with A.J. Green, Jerome Simpson and TE Jermaine Gresham. 

Luckily for Curtis Painter, he also has some extremely talented and professional receivers in Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon, not forgetting their under-utilised TE Dallas Clark. With Painter throwing for 277-yards and two touchdowns last week, Colts fans are starting to believe he can lead the team for the remainder of 2011. But like I said earlier, the league's No. 1 defense won't make life easy for him.

I think at this stag,e you have to give the edge to Dalton. He may not be dramatically far ahead of Painter in terms of experience, but in his short time in Cincinnati, Dalton has lead the Bengals back from losses with gutsy game-winning drives, while Painter has fizzled out—in particular against the Kansas City Chiefs, in what was a total collapse.

With defensive pressure likely to be a big factor for the two QBs on Sunday, it might come down to who can stay calm and composed under that pressure, and if that's the case, Andy Dalton has the advantage.