The Cincinnati Bengals’ duo of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase lit up the league in their first season together in the NFL. However, the duo is more than familiar with each other after playing together for two seasons at LSU in 2018 and 2019. Their connection together in 2019 allowed both to be selected as top-five selections in back-to-back drafts despite Chase not playing a single down for LSU in 2020. Let’s examine how Chase and Burrow continue to have success in the NFL and why there might yet be more to come from the connection.
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase have incredible career numbers together
It is hard to understate how impressive the numbers for Burrow and Chase are when playing together these past four years. Chase’s numbers in that period are a total of 188 receptions for 3,548 yards and 36 touchdowns. Those numbers are simply incredible over a three-year stretch. But if you take out the 2018 season where Chase only had 23 receptions, the last two seasons together are mindblowing.
Across the 2019 and 2021 seasons, Chase has turned 165 receptions into 3,235 yards and 33 touchdowns. That is an average of 19.6 yards per reception and a touchdown every 5 receptions. This year alone, Chase is the favorite to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year, while Burrow has been in the MVP award conversation. The consistency to do that across two years — with two different teams and offensive systems — is incredible. Let’s examine some of the aspects that have made that performance possible.
Chase and Burrow have had a superb supporting cast around them
While there have been eyebrows raised at the quality of the Bengals’ offensive line, their skill-position players certainly cannot be questioned. Outside of Chase, Burrow has the likes of Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, and Joe Mixon at his disposal. Even tight end C.J. Uzomah has proven to be a talented receiving option for Cincinnati. What that has done is stopped opposing defenses from keying in on Chase as the main receiving threat.
While Chase led the team in targets with 128, Higgins had 110 and Boyd had 94. Both are highly respected receivers who defenses cannot simply ignore. Therefore, it is tough for opposing teams to give Chase the attention his talent deserves. Double-team Chase on every play and Burrow can simply pick a defense apart targeting Boyd and Higgins.
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The story was the same with LSU in 2019. Also on that offense was 2020 NFL Rookie of the Year and first-round selection, Justin Jefferson. While Chase had 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns on 84 receptions, Jefferson had 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns on 111 receptions. Around them was another first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft in Clyde Edwards-Helaire, as well as Terrace Marshall Jr., who was selected in the second round in 2021 by the Carolina Panthers.
That surrounding talent has been a huge part of why Burrow and Chase have translated their partnership so well to the NFL. They’re both extremely talented players, but having complementary pieces around them on the offense means defenses cannot simply focus on shutting down the partnership. That allows Chase to draw one-on-one coverage (or soft double-teams) and make plays.
A balanced offense has also been key to their success
The focus so far has been on the talent around them in terms of pass-catching prowess. However, the quality of the run game has also been key. The Bengals only threw the ball 555 times this year, which ranks 20th around the league. That is because their run game was effective, even without being incredible.
It was the same at LSU in 2019. Despite being the highest-scoring offense that year, LSU was 14th in terms of passing attempts per game (37.8). They found balance in their offense, averaging 33.9 rushing plays per game. While that was in the bottom third of college football, it was still significantly more than other pass-heavy offenses. That then forces opposing defenses to focus on the run game and opens up the passing game for Chase and Burrow.
Could there be more to come from the dynamic duo in Cincinnati?
When you look at the numbers for Burrow when targeting Chase this year, there is the potential to see more. Burrow was actually intercepted 6 times when targeting Chase this season, compared to the 13 touchdowns. That translated to a passer rating when targeting Chase of 116.5. While that number is impressive, if they can cut out some of the interceptions while retaining the explosive nature of the combination, those numbers could be even better in 2022 and beyond.
Additionally, Chase had 11 drops this season on 128 targets. He averaged a drop once every 11.6 targets (8.6%). Entering the season, drops were a huge concern for Chase. If that continues to improve, so could the firepower of the Bengals’ offense. The expectation is not for Chase to be perfect, but he led the league this year with drops and still posted mind-blowing numbers as a rookie. If he can reduce that to just the league average (5-6 drops), his — and Burrow’s — numbers could look even more spectacular.
