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The Cincinnati Bengals had high hopes this season of getting back to the playoffs with one of the most explosive offensive teams in the NFL. Those thoughts disappeared early in the season when star quarterback Joe Burrow went down with a ligament tear in his big toe early in the season. Once that happened, the Bengals (5-10-0) quickly fell out of playoff contention and they are now just trying to finish the season on a respectable note.
The Cardinals (3-12) had one of the toughest assignments in the league as they compete in the NFC West against 3 playoff teams. Starting quarterback Kyler Murray has been replaced by solid backup Jacoby Brissett, and while he has an excellent understanding about how to execute a high-level offense, he does not have the kind of supporting cast that would have allowed Arizona to be competitive on a consistent basis.
Burrow has returned to the Bengals lineup but he has made noises that he might want to play for a team that is a consistent winner and in the playoffs on an every-year basis. The Bengals have not been in the postseason since the 2022 season. However, he does have one of the best receivers in the league at his disposal in Ja’Marr Chase.
Despite Cincinnati’s troubled year, Burrow is capable of dominating the game with explosive plays when he gets off to a fast start. That’s just what he will be trying to do against the vulnerable Cardinals defense. Arizona ranks 29th in points allowed as head coach Jonathan Gannon’s team is giving up 27.6 points and 350.5 yards per game.
Burrow is preparing to play his 7th game of the season and he has completed 120 of 189 passes for 1,268 yards with 12 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. His ability to see the defense, determine the best matchup for his offense and deliver the ball with both accuracy and velocity makes him one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL.
Few quarterbacks have the kind of partnership with a receiver the way that Burrow and Chase relate to each other. One half-glance at the line of scrimmage an instant before the ball is snapped is more than enough to let Chase know the ball is coming his way.
Chase always produces and he has caught 110 passes for 1,256 yards with 5 touchdowns and 62 of his receptions have resulted in first downs. Nearly two-thirds of Chase’s season have been played with Jake Browning or ancient Joe Flacco at quarterback for the Bengals. A full season with a healthy Burrow at quarterback is likely to see Chase approach 2,000 receiving yards.
In addition to Chase, Tee Higgins is probably the best No. 2 receiver in the NFL. He has caught 49-720-10, and Burrow will always look his way when he is getting single coverage and the game is on the line.
Additionally, Andrei Iosivas, Noah Fant and Mike Gesicki (pectoral injury,...
