Ja’Marr Chase played his best game of the season against a stingy Green Bay Packers secondary in a loss Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver has been as advertised since being taken with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Chase and Joe Burrow have rekindled their LSU connection and made defenses pay in single coverage looks in every game thus far. This theme continued on Sunday as Chase caught varying types of passes that have led to an impressive repertoire. This is an important point. It helps in opening up the playbook for the Bengals while also giving defensive coordinators something to game plan for. The team is hopeful the torrid start to the season for Chase continues as he is such a valuable commodity for the Bengals offense.
Ja’Marr Chase Torches Green Bay Packers Secondary in Loss
Even though the Bengals came up short Sunday, Chase was a man on a mission. The rookie wideout had six receptions for 159 yards and one touchdown on a fantastic play to end the first half. This mark was a Bengals rookie record and one of many Chase hopes to break.
UNO HAS DONE IT AGAIN!
Watch on FOX | #BudLightCelly pic.twitter.com/b3lZK0VX5R
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 10, 2021
This play highlights Chase’s fantastic ball tracking ability and the aforementioned connection that exists between Chase and Burrow. The Bengals will need more big plays and games from this duo as the season goes on, especially against the NFL’s best.
Elite Company
Following the game, Chase finds himself in some elite company for players 21 years or younger through five games of a rookie season.
The only players (21 or younger) with 400+ Rec Yards and 5 TD in their first five games:
▫️ Ja'Marr Chase
▫️ Randy MossElite 🔥 @Real10jayy__ @RandyMoss pic.twitter.com/VPbaMJSC6h
— ESPN (@espn) October 11, 2021
Any time you’re on a list with arguably the greatest wide receiver of all time, you are doing something right. This is the rarefied air Chase currently finds himself in. The aspect that should give the Bengals the most hope is each week Chase seems to get better and better in ascending to become a complete NFL player. Davante Adams is one such player Chase admires and emulates his game after. He exchanged jerseys with the Packers playmaker and stated “I went up to him and just asked for his jersey because he’s one of my idols, it’s hard to double somebody like that. He is the best receiver in the league, and he just showed why. The only time I was watching him I was just trying to watch his releases coming off the ball, get some separation, which basically makes getting down the field much easier.”
Party of One
Burrow and the Bengals staff have consistently raved about the work ethic and smarts that Chase exhibits. Couple this with the burning desire that Chase possesses to be the best to ever do it and you have a powerful combination. Chase has played a critical role for the team in all five games this season. His play and production have specifically led to three wins. The scary thing is, he may just be getting started.
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