CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Cincinnati Bengals’ offense didn’t light up the scoreboard in Week 1, and nobody seems more aware of that fact than star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
Chase and the Bengals gained just seven yards of total offense in the second half of their 17-16 Week 1 win vs. the Browns.
In his press conference on Thursday, Chase didn’t mince words about the team’s performance while offering a window into how an elite receiver processes missed opportunities and maintains confidence through early-season struggles.
When reflecting on the Week 1 tape, Chase immediately pointed to the offense’s shortcomings:
“We left a little bit of plays out there, I want to say,” Chase told reporters. “Could have capitalized on more plays and made it a little easier on our defense not to put them in a tough spot at the end of the game. So, that’s definitely on offense, on us.”
This accountability stands out from a player of Chase’s caliber. Rather than deflecting blame or making excuses about it being early in the season, he acknowledged specific technical issues that need improvement, including sideline awareness on catches: “You know, me and (Tee Higgins) gotta get our feet inbounds on catches, you know what I’m saying? So small things like that, we gotta make it look easy.”
When pressed about whether these issues were simply a “September thing” that would naturally improve as the season progresses, Chase rejected the premise:
“No, because I mean, we do it in camp,” he said. “You gotta get your feet down in camp. That’s just sideline recognition. At the end of the day, you gotta know where you’re at on the field. And I did a poor job of knowing where I was at trying to get my feet down.”
Perhaps most fascinating was Chase’s insight into how he handles missed connections with quarterback Joe Burrow during games. When asked about a specific third-quarter play where he was open on a shallow cross but wasn’t targeted, Chase revealed his in-the-moment mindset:
“I don’t talk about it. I mean, (the) play (is) over with. I can’t go back and tell Joe, ‘Throw me the damn ball,” he said. “So he missed the opportunity, and that’s it. You know what I’m saying? We just go on with the next play.”
This glimpse into Chase’s professional approach shows why he’s become one of the NFL’s elite receivers. Instead of dwelling on missed opportunities or creating tension with his quarterback, he maintains focus on the next play - a mentality that has served him well throughout his career.
Despite the early struggles, Chase’s confidence in the Bengals’ offensive potential remains unshaken:
“Everybody know we’re a great offense, prolific offense, so we just got to hold ourselves to it every week.”
This combination of accountability, short memory, and unwavering confidence offers fans reassurance that Cincinnati’s offensive firepower will soon be on full display. As Chase put it, the Bengals are simply holding themselves to a higher standard: “I mean, yeah, that’s just what she said. You know, we want to hold ourselves to better performance than last week. You know, just coming out and being ourselves.”
With the Jacksonville game on the horizon, Chase’s words suggest the Bengals’ offense is ready to remind everyone just how dangerous they can be when firing on all cylinders.
What to know about the Bengals today
Bengals: Burrow hoping to get offense back on track against Jacksonville (Dayton Daily News)
Joe Burrow acknowledges he needs to be better as Cincinnati prepares to host Jacksonville on Sunday. Despite feeling physically and mentally strong entering the season, Burrow struggled with timing issues against Cleveland, including taking three consecutive sacks in one series. He plans to be “more aggressive” getting out of the pocket against a Jaguars defense he describes as energetic and physical, writes Laurel Pfahler.
Bengals Beat: Joe Burrow Knows Where Improvements Need To Be Made ‘There’s always learning experiences from every drive, every play, every game’ (CLNS Cincy)
Joe Burrow remains confident despite a shaky offensive performance in Cincinnati’s 17-16 win over Cleveland. The quarterback, who completed just 14-of-23 passes for 113 yards, acknowledged improvements needed after reviewing game film. “There’s always learning experiences from every drive, every play, every game,” Burrow said. Mike Petraglia reports that early-down efficiency will be a focus as the Bengals aim for their first 2-0 start under Burrow.
Despite the Win and Lofty PFF Grade, Bengals Rookie Shemar Stewart Left Cleveland with 1 Big Regret (Bengals on SI)
Despite not recording a tackle in his NFL debut, Bengals first-round pick Shemar Stewart earned PFF’s seventh-best edge rusher grade in Week 1. Jay Morrison writes that Stewart’s only regret came when he narrowly missed a sack that teammate B.J. Hill collected. The rookie also went viral for tossing aside Browns’ 375-pound tackle Dawand Jones, though teammates reminded him to “make the play” next time.
Bengals dates to remember
Sunday: Week 2 vs. Jaguars, 1 p.m., CBS
Sept. 21: Week 3 at Vikings, 1 p.m., CBS
Sept. 29: Week 4 at Broncos, 8:15 p.m., ABC
Oct. 5: Week 5 vs. Lions, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Oct. 12: Week 6 at Packers, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Oct. 16: Week 7 vs. Steelers, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video
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