Cincinnati Bengals: MVPs from Week 1 overtime win vs. Vikings
Weekly MVP’sÂ
Rookie: Ja’Marr ChaseÂ
There was a lot of pressure and expectations entering this debut game for Ja’Marr Chase. Over the last several weeks and through preseason Chase has been scrutinized and overly criticized for his minor struggles with his focus on catching the football.
Through the preseason, he had multiple drops that got blown out of proportion. Then Pro Football Focus released an extremely inaccurate piece and took his words out of context, which led to much media coverage and more criticism towards Chase.
haha i never said it was hard to catch. they asked me what the difference was in the ball💀. don’t change my words!!! https://t.co/gvt54byEYy
— Ja’MarrChase (@Real10jayy__) September 9, 2021
To say he proved all the doubters wrong is an understatement. After snagging his first two targets, one leading to a third-down conversion, he ended the half hauling in a 50-yard touchdown pass from Joe Burrow after blowing by Bashaud Breeland in coverage, which led to a celebratory griddy touchdown dance for his first career score.
.@Real10jayy__ saw that ball and took it to the HOUSE.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 12, 2021
📺: #MINvsCIN on FOX pic.twitter.com/T9jt61X2w9
Chase ended the game with five catches, 101 receiving yards, and a touchdown to mark off his NFL debut and quieting all the doubters out there. It will be exciting to see where Chase goes from here trying to build off of this game.
Having a high confidence level is vital for the young receiver, and that is precisely how it seems after this one. Ja’Marr Chase is your rookie MVP in Week 1.