CBS Sports NFL Insider Pat Kirwan writes Dalton is on his way to big a payday.
Former quarterbacks Phil Simms, Rich Gannon and Steve Beuerlein think the Bengals are now Super Bowl contenders after Dalton's recent outings.
In Sunday's 49-9 trouncing of the Jets, Dalton racked up 325 yards and five touchdowns, the third consecutive game in which he has surpassed 300 yards passing and finished with at least three touchdowns.
Reaching pay dirt has Dalton reaching milestones too. The Associated Press' Joe Kay tweeted after the win: "Andy Dalton is first #Bengals QB to throw 11 touchdown passes in a three-game span, according to STATS."
The third-year quarterback out of TCU has undeniably been impressive leading the Bengals to four straight wins and helping perch them comfortably atop the AFC North.
But the big question really here is - does this mean Dalton is finally turning a corner or is he just doing what the past has shown he will?
Let's take a look at Dalton's first two seasons.
Dalton finished his rookie season with 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. In a five-game stretch from the first week of Oct. to the first week of Nov. 2011, he helped the Bengals reel off five straight wins and put up some of his strongest numbers (nine touchdowns to five interceptions, three games with a completion percentage of more than 60 percent). After that though, the numbers took a turn for the worse, as the Bengals went 3-5 to finish the season and lost 31-10 in the first round of the playoffs to the Texans.
During the Bengals' final eight games, Dalton had ups and downs, which was to be expected from a quarterback in his first season.
He completed 60 percent of his passes only once more in a regular season game, a win at home against the Browns, and threw six interceptions to his eight touchdowns.
It got worse in the playoff game in Houston, as Dalton was picked three times and the Bengals offense he led reached the end zone only once on a Cedric Benson run in the first quarter.
Go back to last season and you will again see an up-and-down Dalton. Struggling through a four-game losing streak in October 2012, Dalton threw more interceptions (7) than touchdowns (6).
Following the Bengals' week nine loss to Denver, however, a massive turnaround came about.
Cincinnati won seven of its final eight games and Dalton again looked like a different quarterback.
While he didn't once throw for 300 yards, Dalton limited his turnovers (five interceptions) and capitalized to the tune of 13 touchdowns.
It appeared as if Dalton was making strides, not yet into an elite quarterback putting up gaudy numbers but one that could lead his team to victory with the help of a strong defense.
But again, in the same place as the year before, Dalton and the Bengals were thwarted.
In a wild-card game against the feisty Houston defense, Dalton struggled, completing less than half of his passes and finishing the day with no touchdowns and an interception. This time around against the Texans it was only the Bengals' defense that scored a touchdown in a 19-13 loss.
So, in two and a half seasons, Dalton has had his fair share of Jekyll and Hyde moments.
Right now, he is performing well, which is not new. The degree to which he is excelling is a promising first. What is yet to be seen is if the downswings of the past are still to follow in 2013.
That will be the true test.
If Dalton can maintain this level of play consistently - be what Joe Flacco was for the Ravens as they won Super Bowl XLVII - the Bengals should take that next step to becoming a serious championship contender.
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