Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase managed only 2 catches for 12 yards in Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay. He wasn’t held below 35 receiving yards in any game last season.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact
Cincinnati scored 33 points, but only two TDs came from the offense. Surprisingly, Mike Gesicki led the team with 7 targets and 78 receiving yards while tying for the team lead with 5 catches. He also caught Joe Burrow’s only TD pass.
That helped hold Chase to an 11.4% target share against a Tampa Bay defense that ranked mid-pack in fantasy points allowed to WRs last season.
Chase’s best play came on a 16-yard catch on a sharp out-breaking route. He was otherwise well covered on two contested targets, including one at the goal line. His other reception came on orbit motion, but poor blocking turned the catch-and-run opportunity into a loss.
Chase remains a high-end WR1 for Week 2, although Houston figures to present a tougher matchup than its 36 points allowed to Buffalo would suggest.
Other Winners & Losers
Tee Higgins fared better than Chase, finishing with 3 catches for 59 yards. His 6 targets tied Chase Brown for second on the team.
Higgins nearly boosted his day with a 33-yarder, but he wasn't able to maintain possession of the ball as he hit the ground.
Keep the veteran in your lineup as a WR2 ahead of the Houston matchup.
