Global Courant
Ja’Marr Chase set a single-game record Monday night, helping the Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) secure their first win of the season by defeating the Los Angeles Rams (1-2) 19-16.
Chase’s career high in receptions for a single game was 11, but he broke that mark with 12 receptions on 15 targets for a game-high 141 yards. However, Chase is still looking for his first touchdown of the season, having failed to find the end zone for the third straight game, marking the longest streak of his career.
It clearly wasn’t because quarterback Joe Burrow wasn’t looking his way. It was a real in-game decision for head coach Zac Taylor and the Bengals, as Burrow was working hard to cope with an injured calf holding him back.
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Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball to score a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter of the game at Paycor Stadium on September 25, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Burrow was eventually named the starter, and while the box score had no passing touchdowns, he had a solid night under center.
Burrow finished 26 of 49 through the air with 259 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
The Bengals didn’t score their first touchdown until the third quarter, when they finally found the end zone on their eighth drive of the game.
It was a 10-play drive by Burrow, covering 75 yards, that was capped by Joe Mixon’s first touchdown of the season – a 14-yard rush that left him virtually untouched thanks to the Bengals’ offensive line.
Mixon finished with 65 yards on 19 carries, while catching one Burrow pass for five yards.
BENGALS MAKE LOTS OF QUARTERBACK MOVES DUE TO JOE BURROW’S QUESTIONABLE STATUS
The Rams, on the other hand, could have found the end zone several times in the first half, but never capitalized. It looked like speedy receiver Tutu Atwell would do just that on the team’s first drive, when he rounded an end to the right sideline and dove over the goal line. However, after the officials reviewed the play, they discovered that he stepped out of bounds on the two-meter line.
The Rams were in fantastic field position to drive one in for the early lead, but Matthew Stafford was sacked on DJ Reader’s next play, pushing Los Angeles back nine yards. All they could manage was a field goal, and that was the trend all night for the Rams.
Two drives later, the Rams were at the 12-yard line with a first down, but were ultimately forced to make another field goal.
Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams drops back to pass against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 25, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
That’s a credit to the Bengals’ defense, a group that harassed Stafford all night. Stafford came into this game with just one sack through the first two games, but the Bengals quickly changed that and hit him on the ground six times. Trey Hendrickson led the way with two sacks, while Dax Hill, Sam Hubbard and BJ Hill contributed to Reader’s initial takedown.
Los Angeles was finally able to record a touchdown late in the game, when budding star Puka Nacua caught a 37-yard Stafford pass that put the Rams at the Cincinnati three-yard line. Atwell found the end zone on a one-yard grab to make it a 19-16 game.
A failed onside kick attempt sealed the deal for the Bengals in a much-needed win for a group that came into the game with the NFL’s worst offensive production through the first two weeks.
Stafford finished the game 18 of 33 for 269 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. His leading receiver was Nacua with 72 yards on five receptions, while tight end Tyler Higbee also had 71 yards on five catches.
Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after making a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at Paycor Stadium on September 25, 2023. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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The Bengals will look to keep their winning spirit alive next week when they travel to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Rams face the Indianapolis Colts, who shocked the Baltimore Ravens this past week by moving to 2-1 on the year.
Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
