Key matchup
With the fifth overall pick in the draft, the Bengals chose to give quarterback Joe Burrow a weapon in LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase instead of a protector like Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell. It played out as expected in Week 1 against the Vikings — Burrow was sacked five times, but Chase caught five passes for 101 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown.
It’s the big play that looks daunting after the Bears’ secondary broke down against the Rams — leaving Van Jefferson open for a 67-yard touchdown and not even covering Cooper Kupp on a 56-yard touchdown.