The Sports Xchange

CINCINNATI — What will Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson come up with next? Quarterback Andy Dalton says he’s never disappointed.

“Yeah, I always ask: Who came up with this one? How’d this one come about? That’s just kind of part of what we do, though,” Dalton said.

Last week, left tackle Andrew Whitworth lined up in the backfield. Left tackle/guard Jake Fisher had a 31-yard reception earlier this season. The variety of formations Jackson throws at defenses seems to grow by the week.

“We’ve got so many different things that we do,” Dalton said. “We come up with some good stuff. And you never know what it’s going to be each week.”

Making things work offensively is the strong play of the Bengals offensive line.

Dalton has been sacked only twice through four weeks and was barely touched in last week’s win over Kansas City. Dalton’s been showing his appreciation by picking up the dinner check for his offensive line on several occasions already this season.

“We’ve gone out a couple times,” he said. “They deserve it. I mean, we went out last week, so it worked.”

Dalton’s start to this season has drawn statistical comparisons to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the New England Patriots’ Tom Brady. Dalton, who passed for 1,187 yards and nine touchdowns with just one interception, is deflecting the noise.

“That’s one thing I heard early on playing: Could be college, could be high school, whatever it is, the quarterback gets a lot of light when things are going well and he gets a lot of blame when things aren’t going well, he said.

Dalton’s play so far this season has gone a long way toward silencing his critics.

“We just have to keep winning,” Dalton said. “I think that’s all that matters. Regardless of what’s being said. Obviously, you want people talking good about you rather than talking bad about you, that’s natural. But it doesn’t matter right now. We’re 4-0, things are good, let’s have them be talking this way come December, January, February”

NOTES: S George Iloka returns after missing last week’s game with an ankle injury which snapped his streak of 35 straight starts. Iloka has nine tackles with a pass breakup and forced fumble this season. … CB Adam Jones did not practice Wednesday but is expected to play on Sunday. He started Sunday’s game against the Chiefs after being listed as questionable with an elbow injury. Jones also handled kickoff return duties. He finished with one assist and two kickoff returns including a 25-yarder before aggravating his groin early in the third quarter. … K Mike Nugent handled the 33-yard extra-point as well as any kicker in the NFL, going 14 of 15 on PATs with one blocked in the opener. He’s 3 of 5 on field goal attempts with a 44-yard attempt caroming off the upright in Sunday’s win over Kansas City. Coach Marvin Lewis says he expects better from the Ohio State product. … WR A.J. Green might have added motivation on Sunday going against Seattle CB Richard Sherman, who following a 34-12 Bengals win in 2011 called Green “overrated” and “a lot of noise”. Green has 25 catches for 417 yards and three touchdowns. Sherman won’t always be matched up with Green on Sunday, but keep an eye on those instances.