Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase sets franchise record with breakout game

The Cincinnati Bengals went into Sunday's game with a must-win mentality and knowing they had to get their offense back on track.

They accomplished both things in a 34-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals that also featured a franchise record-setting performance by wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase.

Chase set a Bengals franchise record by catching 15 passes, breaking the previous mark of 13 set by Carl Pickens, for 192 yards and three touchdowns in the win. 

It was the type of performance we have come to expect from quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense over the past couple of years, and the type of game we have yet to see so far this season. 

Chase seemed especially frustrated after their loss to the Tennessee Titans a week when he vulgarly explained how he is "always" open.

On Sunday, he was and Burrow consistently found him.

The Bengals offense has been one of the biggest mysteries in the NFL this season as they had failed to score a touchdown in two of their first four games. 

Part of that was attributed to Burrow still dealing with a lingering calf injury that he suffered in preseason, but at times the problems seemed to go well beyond that. The offensive line has struggled at times, while Burrow had not consistently connected with his talented corps of receivers.

That wide receiver group took a big hit on Sunday without the presence of Tee Higgins, but Chase stepped in a huge way as any good No. 1 wide receiver would. 

Chase had 29 catches for only 284 yards and zero touchdowns in the first four games entering play on Sunday. The Bengals are now just one game out of first place in the AFC North and right back in the thick of that divisional race.