Coming into this season, many felt Ja’Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals had a great shot at getting to the Super Bowl and possibly even winning their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
But all that optimism has evaporated, as this season has so far been a frustrating one for the team.
The Bengals are only 1-3, and their only win came by just three points in Week 3 versus the medicare Los Angeles Rams. Quarterback Joe Burrow has been uncharacteristically struggling as he’s dealing with a strained calf, and they rank 31st in points and last in total yards gained.
While star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has a solid 284 receiving yards through four games, he hasn’t scored a touchdown yet. When asked about his scoreless streak, he had a simple statement about what he needs to do to break out of it.
“I just gotta be the dog that I am and just be 100 percent,” said Chase. “Just give the team as much effort as I can. I can’t do more extra; they might move me around a bit, but that’s about it. Just give 100 percent.”
Chase has made the Pro Bowl while going over the 1,000-yard mark in both of his previous seasons, and he may well achieve both feats this season once it’s all said and done. Perhaps at least some of his struggles could be attributed to Burrow’s injury and poor play.
The signal-caller has completed only 57.6 percent of his pass attempts and thrown only two touchdown passes while also throwing two interceptions so far this year.
Cincinnati is in last place in the AFC North, and although it is facing a team with a poor roster in the Arizona Cardinals this week, it cannot think it will any way guarantee a victory.
In Week 6, it will host a very solid Seattle Seahawks team before its bye week. Afterward, it will have two very difficult games against the San Francisco 49ers and the Buffalo Bills.
Needless to say, the Bengals badly need to string some wins together, otherwise their season could be virtually over before the calendar turns over to December.
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