Grade Ja’Marr Chase’s NFL debut vs. Vikings

The 2021-22 NFL season is finally here, and the Cincinnati Bengals were in Paul Brown Stadium for a Week 1 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

It was a slow start offensively for both teams as they each exchanged six-straight punts to start the season.

However, things changed rather quickly as the Vikings put together a long 14-play, 91-yard TD drive to take a 7-0 lead.

One of the big things that Bengals fans wanted to see was the NFL debut of No. 5 overall pick, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

During the preseason, Chase had some issues with drops which led to some questions heading into the regular season.

Those doubts were quickly removed once the Bengals started taking more chances in the passing game.

The duo first linked up on a 3^rd and 9 when Joe Burrow hit Chase for a 17-yard gain to move the chains.

During the same drive, Burrow hit Chase on a slant for a 13-yard gain. That drive would end with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins, making it a 7-7 ballgame.

The Bengals’ defense forced a punt giving the ball back to Burrow with 1:11 left in the first half.

Burrow was able to get the Bengals to the 50-yard line with 35 seconds remaining. Then reminiscent of their days with the LSU Tigers, Burrow hit Chase down the sideline for a 50-yard TD taking a 14-7 lead.

The Bengals grabbed at 21-7 lead at the start of the 2^nd half but after a turnover on downs, the Vikings scored a touchdown to get right back in the game 21-14.

From that point on the Bengals were in a battle and the Vikings drilled a 53-yard FG to force OT.

The Cincinnati defense forced a fumble and had a chance to go win the game. Burrow hit Chase for a 6-yard completion to get the drive started as the Bengals march down the field and rookie Evan McPherson drills a 38-yard FG to win it 27-24.

It was quite the debut for Ja’Marr Chase, as he finished with five grabs for 101-yards and a TD, an impressive performance that should have Bengals fans excited for the future.

How would you grade Chase’s performance in his NFL debut?

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