Bengals Rookie Seemingly Predicts Victory over Vikings
Leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft, some early-Round 1 mystery surrounded the Cincinnati Bengals. Would the franchise shore up the offensive trenches with a selection of “sure thing” left tackle Penei Sewell at the 7th spot in the draft? Or would the Bengals brass fall in love with Ja’Marr Chase, an electric wideout of LSU?
The Bengals evidently took the brasher route, choosing Chase over Sewell and bolstering the offensive playmaking weaponry. And that brashness was on display this week when Chase seemingly declared victory over the Minnesota Vikings some 72 hours before kickoff.
1-0
— Ja’MarrChase (@Real10jayy__) September 9, 2021
Indeed, there is a remote possibility that Chase was referring to something else — but that’s up to you decide what else would mirror a football win-loss record.
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This is an odd declaration for a rookie — particularly for one that has encountered problems catching the football this summer — yet maybe this just is the machismo he brings to Cincinnati. The Bengals are 3.5-point underdogs against the Vikings, so a mini-upset would be required to effectuate Chase’s bold prediction.
A Vikings defensive back took note of the Ali-like soothsaying and re-tweeted to the masses a quote from The Chappelle Show.
Cocaines a hell of a drug folks… https://t.co/Tm2ppUORlr
— kris boyd™ (@kris23db) September 10, 2021
In college, Chase was magnificent. He did not play in 2020, opting to prepare for the NFL one year in advance. But when he was inside Alabama Crimson Tide’s offense in 2019, he grabbed 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and a whopping 20 touchdowns. The man can play, and Minnesota will get the first glimpse on Sunday whether his college success immediately translates to professional production.
Last year, Cincinnati finished the season 4-11-1, two and a half games worse than the Vikings, who also experienced a lousy year. Sunday’s game is the first Vikings road game in Week 1 since 2016, a game Minnesota won in Tennessee over the Titans after some intense second-half defense bailed out the offense.
Several other storylines accompany the Vikings to Cincinnati. Minnesota squares off against its former left tackle Riley Reiff who bolted to Cincinnati in free agency. Zimmer will coach in Cincinnati for the first time as a head coach, a place that he defensively coordinated for six years. Now back on the Vikings, cornerback Mackensie Alexander faces his 2020 team. Finally, new Vikings linebacker Nick Vigil played out his entire rookie contract in Cincinnati.
Oh, and Chase was teammates with Justin Jefferson at LSU — along with Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
