The box score was stark. Joe Burrow went 14-of-23 for 113 yards during the 17-16 win against the Browns , took three sacks, and watched the Bengals produce just 141 total yards. The run game barely moved the needle, 23 carries for 46 yards, 2.0 yards per rush. And Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals’ $161 million wide receiver, the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, managed just two catches for 26 yards on five targets, his longest gain only 20. A quiet outing for a player who, in 2024 alone, racked up 127 catches for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns, part of a career total of 397 catches, 5,451 yards, and 46 touchdowns over 63 games. However, the opportunities were there.

A second-and-9 dart to Tee Higgins was forced out of bounds. A third-and-2 deep shot to Chase was swatted

See Full Page