GLENDALE, Ariz. – In a thrilling Sunday showdown, the Cincinnati Bengals secured a 34-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, propelled by the dynamic duo of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
Chase, in a record-setting performance, hauled in 15 receptions on 19 targets, accumulating an impressive 192 yards. His remarkable feat shattered the long-standing Bengals record of 13 receptions, previously held by Carl Pickens since October 11, 1998. Quarterback Joe Burrow had a stellar day, completing 36 of 46 passes for 317 yards, three touchdowns, and a single interception.
Evan McPherson made his mark with two successful 40-yard field goals, while Cam Taylor-Britt contributed to the Bengals’ success by returning an interception for a touchdown. The victory marked a significant milestone for the Bengals (2-3), as they achieved their first win in three road games and delivered their most potent offensive performance of the season.
Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs, although productive with 15 completions on 32 attempts, tallied 166 yards and two touchdowns. However, he faced adversity by throwing his first two interceptions of the season.
The Bengals set the tone early in the game, with Burrow displaying remarkable precision, completing his first seven passes for 56 yards. The opening drive culminated in a 2-yard touchdown pass to Chase in the back of the end zone on third down. Burrow’s agility and mobility, which had been somewhat limited in his first four games, were on full display during this initial drive.
Despite trailing 10-0, the Cardinals (1-4) launched their comeback in the second quarter when Dobbs connected with Marquise Brown for a 25-yard touchdown, beating Jalen Davis in coverage. Arizona then surged ahead 14-10 when Dobbs delivered a 4-yard scoring strike to tight end Zach Ertz with 8:28 left in the first half.
However, the Bengals regained the lead before halftime when Cam Taylor-Britt intercepted Dobbs on second-and-10 from the Arizona 1, returning it 11 yards for a touchdown. It was a significant turn of events, marking Dobbs’ first interception this season after 137 attempts.
The third quarter saw the Bengals extend their lead to 24-14 as Burrow connected with a blazing Chase for a 63-yard touchdown. The Cardinals retaliated, taking advantage of the Bengals’ tackling struggles, with Emari Demercado’s 11-yard touchdown run, narrowing the gap to 24-20.
Yet, the Bengals swiftly responded with an 83-yard drive culminating in Burrow’s third touchdown pass of the day—a scramble on second down followed by a precise throw to the back of the end zone to Chase.
The Cardinals faced additional adversity as they lost starting running back James Connor to a knee injury midway through the second quarter.
In a high-scoring and action-packed game, the Bengals emerged victorious, showcasing their offensive prowess and resilience, while the Cardinals fought valiantly in a closely contested matchup.
