The two best wide receivers in the league square off in a 7-6 interconference playoff skirmish between Ja’Marr Chase’s Bengals and Justin Jefferson’s Vikings on Saturday at Paycor Stadium (1 p.m. on Cincinnati’s Channel 9 and NFL Network).
Chase, at any rate, sees it that way.
Following a limited practice on Wednesday due to an ankle issue, Chase confirmed he will play. He now ranks as the NFL’s top receiver, followed by his former LSU teammate and statistical soulmate, Jefferson.
“I’m always going to put myself first,” Chase said. “He’s so quick, he’s so explosive. You watch film and he makes it look so easy. We probably can do the same move, but just because he’s twitchier, and more explosive sometimes on some routes, he just has that look in his routes that just makes defenders fly.”
There’s a certain unease to the numbers. Following their combined assistance in Joe Burrow’s Heisman Trophy victory during LSU’s perfect 2019 campaign, Jefferson joined the Vikings and broke the NFL rookie record with 1,400 yards in 2020. Chase broke Jefferson’s record with 1,455 yards in 2021 after sitting out that season. The first 101 came in their only NFL meeting, which was also Chase’s first, as the Bengals defeated Minnesota in the ’21 season opener on the final play of overtime.
They have been pursuing the same decimal points ever since (pardon the pun). A few weeks ago, Chase became one of the three NFL players in history to average at least 80 yards per game in each of their first three seasons, along with Randy Moss, Odell Beckham Jr., and Jefferson.
In their first two seasons, Jefferson has caught the most yards of anyone; Chase is ranked fifth. After missing four games the previous season, Jefferson has amassed the most in his first three seasons (Chase is unable to catch him). If Jefferson gains ninety yards on Saturday, he will have amassed the most in any player’s first four seasons.
Chase, meanwhile, has surpassed all other NFL wide receivers in 50-yard touchdown catches since entering the league thanks to what he claims to be his best quality:
“My yards following the grab. Some would argue that he poses more of a running back threat.”
With 96.8, Jefferson leads the NFL all-time in yards per game; Chase comes in third with 85.6. Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson’s 86.1 is sandwiched between them, and although Chase isn’t giving up the chase, he isn’t observing either.
“I’m not going to race him. It’s a marathon, this. Chase declared, “I’m not racing with him anymore. “We’re out of college.”
