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There is accuracy, and then there's accuracy.
Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher says it is quarterback Joe Burrow’s top physical trait. As the NFL's co-all time completion percentage leader with Tua Tagovailoa at 68.1, the numbers bear him out.
And then there's accuracy, like Burrow's 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase that won Monday night's game in Dallas with 61 seconds left.
Pitcher is never surprised what his all-galaxy combo can pull out of the stars. Heck, he already had seen this deal. Two years ago in New Orleans with 117 seconds left, their 60-yarder won the game on basically the same idea.
"A four-step speed cut out turning into a 40-yard game-winning touchdown," Pitcher said before Thursday's practice.
As the Monday night clock ticked toward a minute in a 20-20 game, the Bengals were on the fringe of new kicker Cade York’s field-goal range. Bengals head coach Zac Tayor opted for high-percentage throws to get them closer to three points. Anything else, Pitcher says, would be a bonus.
"Well," Pitcher says. "We got the bonus."
That play started with Burrow noticing defending NFL interceptions leader DaRon Bland, wary of Chase's speed, giving him a cushion Burrow found inviting.
"The No. 1 rule on out-breaking routes is on time, outside, and only if it's a gimme," Pitcher says. "There aren't a lot of gimmies in football. That's the mindset. If not all three there, probably best to progress (to the next option.) Then he takes it to the next level with ball placement."
Most earthlings, even those with an educated understanding of football, would view it as a simple out route. Burrow saw the cushion and the riches of yards-after-catch rather than the rags of a checkdown.
"I'm going to put this ball in a place that I can turn (Chase) and he can do something with it after the catch rather than toe-tap out of bounds," is how Pitcher reads Burrow in the moment. "And Ja'Marr feels that location from Joe and knows he didn't put that ball there by accident. 'He's telling me something. He's telling me I can turn in because I have enough cushion.'"
Chase confirmed it all after Thursday's practice. "That's just trusting the quarterback. Where he's placing the ball at," Chase said. "He threw it inside on my back shoulder. That way I could go up field faster, see the field faster and put my foot in the ground.
"The way he threw it confirms this is where you need to run. Good ball placement. I knew it was coming when I saw so much space off (me). He always knows where he wants to throw it."
Chase agrees with Pitcher. Accuracy is No. 1 among Burrow's ample skillset. It made him think of one pass caught by Bengals slot receiver Tyler Boyd back in the day.
"It's one of those famous catches to TB over the middle," Chase said. "TB barely had his head around. He caught it on his shoulder pad. All that takes timing and accuracy, too."
MORE TB
It just so happens the Bengals meet up with Boyd Sunday (1 p.m.-Cincinnati's Fox 19) in Tennessee against old friend Brian Callahan's Titans. Boyd, the fourth-leading receiver in Bengals history, caught many of his 513 balls in the five seasons Callahan was the Bengals offensive coordinator and Boyd followed him to Nashville this season, where things have been a bit rough. He's third on a 3-10 team with 33 catches, but only 317 yards and no touchdowns.
"I was thinking about texting him today," Chase said.
By the time Chase arrived in Cincinnati in 2021, Boyd already had two 1,000-yard seasons after doing next-to-nothing his first two seasons and had plenty of counsel to provide about good times and bad.
And Chase is grateful he listened. He pays tribute to Boyd by paying it forward this year with rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton.
"Just staying on me. Make me feel like a rookie. Piss me off, get me ready to practice," Chase said. "Make sure I know what I'm doing on the field. He did a lot. Not too many guys would do that. I did that with Jermaine a little bit. Just making him feel comfortable and messing with him a little bit, and that's what TB did a good job with me. Just making sure I'm comfortable and having fun."
JA'MARR AND MARSHALL
If this was 20 years ago and everybody wanted to be like the 5-10, 211-pound Marshall Faulk, the 6-0, 205-pound Chase would probably end up playing running back like his fellow New Orleans legend.
But Chase grew up in the golden age of receivers, and what he has become as he leads the NFL in all three major receiving categories, as well as yards after catch, is Marshall Faulk as a wide receiver. His strong running back body serves as the foundation of his elusiveness.
"I've heard that. It's crazy that you would say that. We look the same, we break tackles pretty much the same," Chase said.
This is truly how athletic he is. It turns out Chase got a hole-in-one playing golf for the third time in his life playing golf with Faulk and the agent for both, Rocky Arceneaux.
"Nine iron. About 100 yards," said Chase, who says he only dabbles with the game in the offseason, disgusting weekly golfers everywhere but getting a tip of their hats.
THE GREAT GESICKI
Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki had three catches on three targets for 24 yards Monday as he continually adds to his most productive season since his 73-catch year in Miami in 2021. With 42 catches at 35 yards per game, he has already dwarfed last year's 29 catches for 14,4 yards per game in New England.
Targets? With 55, he's got 10 more than last season and three more than the season before in Miami with four games to play.
The "Revive a Career," box seems to be checked.
"If that would be the narrative, sure," Gesicki said. "For me, I've been the same player putting in the same work, putting in the same time. I just haven't had the ball come my way the last couple of years. I've been targeted a little more and I don't take it for granted. I wish we could have changed the end of some games, but I come in every day with a smile on my face. For the opportunities that are presented, it's really enjoyable."
Gesicki, on a one-year deal, is open to coming back. Probably because of plays like the one Monday night that showed his chemistry with the guy he calls the best quarterback in the league.
With the Bengals down, 20-17, early in the fourth quarter, Burrow had a first down at the Cowboys 31. With Dallas in man-to-man, Gesicki was supposed to run a longer slant-in. But when he saw so much space in the middle of the field with the Cowboys bunched on the line showing pressure, Gesicki cut off the route after a few steps and went to the middle in a hurry.
Good call. Cowboys sack ace Micah Parsons came flying off the edge unblocked, and Burrow delivered it just as he got drilled as Gesicki picked up 13 yards on a drive they settled for a tying field goal.
"Ja'Marr had 18 targets, but it just wasn't him," Gesicki said. "Andrei (Iosivas) had a big scramble drill on third down. Tee had a scramble drill on third down. Me, I got it on first down in man to-man coverage. It's not a one-man show. OK, stand and watch Ja'Marr. Some of it is and it's very impressive. I have no issues with that. But our coaches do a good job keeping everyone involved."
SLANTS AND SCREENS
Thursday’s injury report gives you a sense of who isn't playing Sunday. Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (fibula), backup linebacker Joe Bachie (groin), backup wide receiver Charlie Jones (groin) and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (illness) haven't practiced this week …
Head coach Zac Taylor ruled out Bachie for at least Sunday and maybe more …
NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson got a rest day Thursday after Wednesday's walkthrough, as did defensive tackle B.J. Hill, and they also continue to manage Higgins, who has gone limited both days …
Burrow (knee) went limited again, but he has said he's playing …
