Joe Burrow said he will emphasize getting Ja'Marr Chase more involved after the wide receiver was barely used during the team's 33-27 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1.
Numbers from Week 1 and coaching reaction
The Cincinnati Bengals opened the season with a 33-27 win at Paycor Stadium. Ja'Marr Chase finished with two catches for 12 yards on four targets from Joe Burrow, while tight end Mike Gesicki led the team with five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher acknowledged the lack of involvement, saying, "We didn't throw him the ball enough," a frank assessment of Chase's limited role in the opener.
Burrow's commitment and the plan against Houston
Burrow said he wants to get Ja’Marr Chase more involved after Chase finished the opener with two catches for 12 yards on four targets from quarterback Joe Burrow.
The coaching staff and quarterback appear set to adjust the distribution of targets. Newsweek projects Chase is likely to see an increased share of targets in Week 2, reflecting both his talent and the game's missed opportunities in Week 1.
With the Bengals traveling to face a Texans defense known for pressure, Yahoo! News projects the offense will need strong pass protection and quick decisions from Burrow to give receivers enough time to work. Those factors will shape how aggressively Chase is deployed in upcoming game plans.
Burrow’s public commitment removes little of the uncertainty about how the offense will balance targets, but it signals a specific corrective after a performance that produced a win but little involvement for one of the team's most scrutinized playmakers.
Coaches typically tinker with game plans during the week, and the combination of Burrow's vow to get Chase more touches, Pitcher's admission, and Gesicki's Week 1 production sets a clear narrative for the Week 2 preparations: reallocate looks and create chances for Chase to impact the game more consistently.
How that balance manifests against Houston’s front and coverage schemes will determine whether Week 1 was an anomaly or a lingering strategic adjustment early in the season.
