The real ones will know they never really left. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase were on fire in Week 14 for the Cincinnati Bengals despite losing in a crucial matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Like so many games before, Cincinnati took a while to get their offense going — three quarters, to be precise.
Kicker Evan McPherson was barely keeping the Bengals in the game with two successful field goals in the first half.
The third quarter goes by. Nothing.
Finally, in the last quarter of the game, Burrow and Chase show the league what they’ve been capable of this whole season: big-play ability. The first touchdown (on a fourth down, too) looked a bit desperate; the second, much better-directed.
Guess which one his favorite was.
Burrow said TD to Ja’Marr Chase on fourth down was one of his favorites between the two ever. Was originally rolling left then rolled right because of Chase on that side.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 13, 2021
“When I threw it he was still running left.”
This one, just to make it clear:
Speechless. #ProBowlVote + #JaMarrChase + #JoeBurrow
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 12, 2021
Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/rPxhN58UnC
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow speaks about tough loss vs. 49ers
Burrow blazed into overtime having completed two deep touchdown passes to Chase, but his fire was slightly smothered by Zac Taylor’s conservative play-calling.
The star quarterback refused to blame Taylor, though, believing the loss was simply a result of the team’s failure to “execute.”
Burrow on if he regrets not being more aggressive in OT: “Hard to say. Whatever plays are called we got to execute. Every play has a chance to score a touchdown. Just have to execute it.”
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 13, 2021
Burrow also told reporters that “his velocity was round 80 to 85 percent today” because of his finger injury, but he still felt “good enough.”
He certainly played well enough, going 25-of-34 for 348 yards and throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Burrow had us in the first half, we’re not going to lie, but did anyone really lose faith in Joey Franchise Burrow?
The Bengals look to bounce back next week against the Denver Broncos. Expect much more of that good ol’ Burrow-Chase magic.