Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase ranked as top QB-pass catcher duo in NFL
The electric Joe Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase connection from LSU’s 2019 national championship run has seamlessly carried over to the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals. Burrow and Chase have been great through seven games, and NFL.com ranked the two as the top pass catching duo in the NFL this season.
Many thought that the Bengals should have selected an offensive lineman to help protect Burrow in this summer’s NFL Draft. But the team opted to reunite Burrow with his go-to college target, drafting Chase fifth overall. The decision appears to have been the correct one, as Chase is the most productive rookie this season and has been one of the top wideouts in the NFL.
Through seven games, Chase has 35 receptions for 754 yards and six touchdowns. His 754 yards rank him second in the NFL, trailing just Cooper Kupp. Chase’s six receiving touchdowns tie him for fourth in the league. Out of players that have played every game this season, Chase ranks as the NFL’s leader with 21.5 yards per reception.
Chase caught a touchdown in each of his first three NFL games, hauling in two in Week 3 against the Steelers. He has topped 100 yards three times this season. Chase is coming off of a career best game with eight receptions on 10 targets for 201 yards and a touchdown against the Ravens.
The Bengals duo of Chase, Burrow as even more electric at LSU
Burrow missed significant time last season after tearing his ACL, but he threw for 2,688 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions as a rookie. This season, Burrow’s success has been a big reason for the Bengals leading the AFC North.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
AP Poll Shakeup
New Top 25 shows Saturday carnage
- 2Hot
Coaches Poll
Chaos reflected in new Top 25
- 3New
Quinn Ewers MRI
Texas 'cautiously optimistic' on QB
- 4
Updated SEC title game scenarios
The path to the championship game is clear
- 5
Kevin Wilson
Tulsa expected to fire head coach
Burrow is undoubtedly enjoying having Chase on the Bengals. On the year, Burrow has thrown for 1,956 yards, 17 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
LSU went undefeated in 2019, and Burrow and Chase played a big role in that. Burrow threw for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns in 15 games. Chase caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns in 14 games.
The Bengals spent premium draft picks on both Chase and Burrow. Chase was taken fifth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft while Burrow was taken first overall in 2020.
Cincinnati leads the AFC North at 5-2 and is tied for the best record in the AFC entering the weekend. Burrow and Chase could again feast for the Bengals on Sunday against the Jets.