The Cincinnati Bengals’ offense finally got right Sunday.
No one enjoyed the dividends more than wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
The Bengals offense had been terrible the first four games of the season, ranking 31st in points scored and dead last in the NFL in total yardage.
When asked about the team’s struggles after their Week 4 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Chase spoke bluntly: “I’m open. I’m always ******* open.”
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, hampered so far by a preseason calf strain, looked like the Burrow of old, instead of an old Burrow Sunday on the road against the Arizona Cardinals, and he hooked up early and often with Chase, his favorite target in recent years.
Chase caught his first touchdown of the season midway through the first quarter, with Burrow threading the needle between two Cards defenders.
Ja'Marr Chase has his first TD of the season! 🏈pic.twitter.com/6AqRjtK0RN
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 8, 2023
The All-Pro wide receiver was just getting started. In the third quarter, he got behind the defense to reel in a beautiful deep pass from Burrow for a 63-yard touchdown.
Ja'Marr Chase now has 9 receptions for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns! 🏈💣pic.twitter.com/R3ZnFe2UCE
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 8, 2023
Chase added his third and final TD catch of the day in the fourth quarter, beating two DBs in the back of the end zone.
Ja'Marr Chase has had an incredible day.
14 receptions (a Bengals franchise record), 181 yards, 3 touchdowns. That's good for 50.1 PPR points. pic.twitter.com/ggiJelGrvh
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 8, 2023
The Bengals won easily, 34-20, and Chase finished with ridiculous numbers: 15 catches for 192 yards and those three TDs. The 15 catches are a Bengals franchise record, and tied for the sixth-highest figure in NFL history. (Chase’s career high is 266 yards, in a game during the 2021 season.)
Obviously, Bengals fans were overjoyed by the outburst, and so were Chase’s suffering fantasy football managers, who’d invested a high draft choice on him (his ADP, or average draft position, was No. 4 this year).
Jamar Chase you were right buddy pic.twitter.com/rHnKrslccX
— Panther Fan (@PanthersClear33) October 8, 2023
Jamarr Chase today pic.twitter.com/1MtBL1k51m
— pepper brooks (@pepperyball) October 8, 2023
He’s carrying the bengals rn, he’s literally always open
— JP (@JohnnyP44339615) October 8, 2023
Joe Burrow and Trayveon Williams, Joe puts his arm around him and they walk to the locker room together. #CINvsAZ
Jamar Chase WAS A BEAST😤#NFL #NFLFanatsy pic.twitter.com/UwBITRCVdV
— UrgentSports. (@RedNewzSports) October 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/JaMarrJungle/status/1711149406311895461
