NewsSports

Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase save a Bengals season on the brink

NEW ORLEANS ––  With 2:10 left in the fourth quarter, the Cincinnati Bengals offense took the field with their backs against the wall and their season on the brink.

It took five weeks, three quarters and 13 minutes for the Bengals offense to look anything like it did when it was at its best last season. Before the Bengals’ last drive on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, Joe Burrow hadn’t yet made the type of play that defined their 2021 season. 

Finally, the Bengals offense flipped the switch, and it was just in time to save their season. The play was predictable. Burrow to Chase.

Bengals vs. Saints:What people were saying after Cincinnati beat New Orleans

On Sunday at the Superdome, the Bengals beat the Saints, 30-26.The Bengals came back from a two-score deficit and their worst first half of the season. With 2:10 left in the game, Burrow threw an out route to Ja’Marr Chase on the left sideline. Chase broke a tackle and ran to the end zone to get the Bengals back to .500 with a 3-3 record.

"We were in this position a lot last year and we were able to make those plays down the stretch," Burrow said. "It was great to see that resilience. We have had that resilience all year so far, but we had to make that one last play. Ja’Marr made it today."

Burrow finished the game 28-for-37 for 300 yards, and Chase had 132 receiving yards with two touchdowns. Like they've done so many times before, they connected for the game winner.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) runs into the end zone for a touchdown with 2:10 remaining in the fourth quarter during an NFL Week 6 game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

When Burrow walked into the huddle on the final drive, none of the captains felt the need to share any specific message. Even though it was the most adversity the Bengals had faced all season –– the most hostile crowd and a game with "must win" stakes according to several players –– there wasn't a big speech because they'd converted in these moments before.

'Cool' Joe Burrow:Quarterback keeps Cincinnati's fourth-quarter drive alive with scramble, throw to Boyd

Running back Joe Mixon said, "Let's go score," but he admitted later he didn't expect the Bengals to score as fast as they did. Center Ted Karras remembers thinking, "We're going to win." It only took one play for Burrow and Chase to find the end zone and for the Bengals to take the lead..

"That’s what we’re about, and that’s what we’re built for," Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd said. "We’re built for those moments. We know that Joe believes in us and we believe in each other."

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws in the second quarter during an NFL Week 6 game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

For weeks, Chase has been frustrated by double teams that have limited his explosive plays. The Bengals offense had become a combination of screens, slants and check downs. Burrow to Chase was the most dangerous quarterback-receiver combination in the NFL last season. The Bengals inability to recreate it for the first third of the 2022 season led to questions about play calling and Zac Taylor’s vision for the offense.


Source link

Show More

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button