The Bengals just landed the first punch. Joe Burrow snapped the ball in the red zone, looked left, then fired a clean, 13-yard strike to Ja’Marr Chase for a touchdown. Cincinnati takes the early lead, and their sideline is buzzing. Chase tapped the ball, tucked it, and strutted to the back line. Burrow pointed straight at him. The message is clear. Their connection is back on the front page.
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Burrow and Chase set the tone
This is how Cincinnati wants to play. Fast tempo. Simple reads. Burrow is getting the ball out quick, with timing and trust. On the score, the Bengals spread the field, kept the pocket tidy, and let Chase win inside leverage. Burrow’s feet were calm. His eyes never drifted. The throw hit the chest.
That matters for more than six points. It resets the defense. Arizona now has to decide whether to roll help toward Chase or live with single coverage. So far, Cincinnati is also mixing in quick outs and shallow crossers. That forces the Cardinals to tackle in space. It also opens room for Joe Mixon to find creases. When Burrow is in rhythm, the whole playbook breathes.
Bengals strike first, courtesy of a 13-yard Burrow to Chase touchdown. Cincinnati up early, momentum on their sideline.
How the Cardinals are answering
Arizona is not folding. The Cardinals are rotating coverages, trying to bracket Chase on key downs. They flashed pressure off the edge, then bailed into zone, hoping to bait a mistake. The front is pinching the B gaps, looking to slow Mixon before he cuts downhill. Tackling angles have been sharp, and their safeties are sitting at ten to twelve yards, ready to rally.
On offense, Arizona is leaning on pace changes. A little hurry up, then a hard count. They want to keep Cincinnati’s front from teeing off. Expect more quick game throws, slants and outs, and a screen or two to slow the rush. The Bengals’ linebackers must trigger fast, but not overrun plays. One misstep, and Arizona’s backs can turn a short pass into a chain mover.
The chessboard right now
This game is turning on efficiency, not trick plays. Cincinnati is winning first down, which sets up easy second and medium. Arizona is trying to force third and long. That is the down where their pressure packages can shine. Watch how the Bengals align Chase. Slot, wide left, stacked looks. Each alignment creates a new problem for the secondary.
- If Arizona doubles Chase, Tee Higgins and the tight ends must punish single coverage
- If Cincinnati goes empty, Burrow has to beat blitz with quick throws and hot routes
- If the Cardinals lean zone, Mixon can press the line, then cut behind climbing guards
- If the Bengals sting with play action, shot plays will appear outside the numbers
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Keys within the keys
Winning the middle of the field is a big one. Cincinnati is stringing crossers and option routes, which stress linebackers. Arizona’s response has been to squeeze those windows with underneath zone. That puts a spotlight on timing. If Burrow hesitates, throwing lanes vanish. If he stays on schedule, the ball gets there before the defense can close.
Red zone play calling will separate these teams. The Bengals are using condensed splits, rub concepts, and quick outs. That is perfect for Burrow’s touch. The Cardinals like to bring heat near the goal line, then drop linemen into lanes. One tip at the line can flip a drive.
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The vibe and what it means
You can feel the stakes in the pads. Cincinnati came in needing a fast start, and they got it. Burrow to Chase is not just a highlight, it is a heartbeat for the locker room. Arizona’s response is prideful and organized. They are not blinking. Their sideline keeps signaling energy, and the front seven is playing with bite.
This is a culture game. The Bengals want to prove their offense still bends the game their way. The Cardinals want to show they can take a punch, then land one back. The crowd is loud, every third down feels heavy, and both coaching staffs are in adjustment mode.
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What decides the finish
Turnovers and explosives. If Cincinnati keeps the ball safe and steals a deep shot, they can control the clock late. If Arizona flips field position with a takeaway, the whole day changes. Special teams will matter, too. Hidden yards on punts, and clean field goal operation, are often the difference in one-score games.
For now, Cincinnati’s stars have set a pace. Burrow is sharp. Chase is dangerous on every snap. Arizona is within striking distance, and their defensive plan is sound. We are tracking adjustments in real time. If the Bengals keep spreading the field and protecting early downs, they will keep the throttle down. If the Cardinals crack the timing, this will tighten into a fourth quarter classic.
The first punch went to Cincinnati. The next few drives will tell us who owns the night. 🏈
