Remember all those stories out of Bengals training camp/preseason about how the team wasn't overly worried about rookie No. 5 overall pick Ja'Marr Chase and his case of the dropsies? Turns out the Cincinnati coaches were right not to be concerned as Chase has been spectacular so far in the regular season and is now the clear -130 favorite at Caesars Sportsbook to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The former LSU star could have another big day Sunday at the sad-sack Jets.
In last Sunday's shocking 41-17 blowout win at Baltimore, Chase had eight catches for 201 yards and a TD – his third 100-yard game of the season – and would be named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. He was 21 years and 237 days old Sunday, making Chase second-youngest player in NFL history to record at least 200 receiving yards in a single game, trailing only current Bucs star Mike Evans (21 years, 87 days old).
When you add in Chase's 159-yard, one TD game on Oct. 10 vs. Green Bay, he is the fifth rookie since the merger with multiple games with at least 150 receiving yards and a touchdown reception. The record is three by Randy Moss in 1998. Minnesota's Justin Jefferson had two last year but finished second to Chargers QB Justin Herbert for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Chase is No. 2 in the NFL with 754 receiving yards, passing Harlon Hill (685 in 1954) for the most receiving yards by a player in his first seven career games. To lead the NFL in receiving yards this year, Chase is a +600 second-favorite to the Rams' Cooper Kupp (+475), who leads with 809. Chase's six TD catches are tied for third and he's +1200 to lead in that, with Kupp (+450) also the favorite and leading with nine.
Caesars hasn't released individual Chase props for Sunday at the Jets yet, but DraftKings has a yes-only one at +600 that Chase has at least 150 yards and a touchdown. New York ranks 25th in allowing 275.0 passing yards per game but tied for third in giving up only seven TD passes.
This perhaps sets up as a bit of a letdown game for Cincinnati off last week's big win in Baltimore and ahead of another important division game in Week 9 vs. Cleveland. The Bengals are currently -10, though, for Sunday, marking their first time as a road favorite of at least 10 points since 1983 at the Houston Oilers. Cincinnati is 4-1 straight up in its past five road games after starting 0-14-1 away under Coach Zac Taylor.
The Jets will be giving unknown Mike White his first career start at QB with rookie Zach Wilson injured. Quarterbacks in their first career start are 0-6 ATS this season.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,900 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters Week 9 of the 2021 season on a 26-11 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen HUGE returns.
