Cincinnati Bengals fans rejoiced in the first quarter of the team’s Week 5 game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The why was simple — Joe Burrow hitting Ja’Marr Chase for a touchdown to go up 7-0 was the first time all season the offense had scored in the first half of that 1-3 start.
Buy Bengals TicketsBut maybe not so simple? The nature of the touchdown, which featured Burrow evading the rush, moving around the pocket and firing the dart that led to Chase hitting a griddy.
That movement from Burrow as he plays through a hurt calf was the most fans had seen all season to date, so they were loving it, to say the least.
The highlights
That's a @Real10jayy__ TUDDY #CINatAZ | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/ewnrYsGO3F
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 8, 2023
You love to see it.#EasyToCelebrate | @budlight pic.twitter.com/NijE4xgT85
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 8, 2023
Reactions
The TD was nice. The way Burrow was moving and evading in the pocket? Far, far more important.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) October 8, 2023
Three things we have not seen ALL YEAR on 3rd-and-goal from the 2.
1. Burrow moves in pocket to avoid pressure.
2. Ja'Marr Chase TD.
3. First-half Bengals offensive TD.
That last play was MASSIVE for the mental state of the team and direction of the season.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) October 8, 2023
The fact that looked so easy makes the first 4 weeks even more frustrating
— Draft Guy Jared (@DraftGuyJared) October 8, 2023
Nicely scripted and executed opening 11-play drive by the Bengals.
Similar to last week, except they finish the drive with 7 after Burrow moves in the pocket and extends the play to find Ja'Marr Chase for a 3-yard TD pass.
Classic Burrow play, who was a perfect 7/7 on the drive
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) October 8, 2023
Bengals finally get their first half touchdown and it comes on the first drive of the game. BEAUTIFUL play by Joe Burrow to connect with Chase
— Blake Jewell (@BlakeJewellNFL) October 8, 2023
JOE BURROW OUT OF STRUCTURE TD TO CHASE AHHH
— mike (@bengals_sans) October 8, 2023
burrow extended a play 🥺 pic.twitter.com/3q3av4yV87
— Roland Bishop (@_peanutlive) October 8, 2023
Burrow looks comfortable in what feels like…. FOREVER.
— Patrick Carey (@PatCareySports) October 8, 2023
Burrow to Chase for a TD for the first time this season. JB looked much more like himself there, excellent sign for the Bengals going forward.
— Elise Jesse (@EliseJesseTV) October 8, 2023
What a fantastic play by Ja'Marr Chase. Started in, then broke backwards as Burrow scrambled. Wide open.
— Vance Meek (@vancemeek) October 8, 2023
