Cincinnati Bengals star receiver Ja’Marr Chase had a quiet home opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he didn’t stay silent for long. He marked his first touchdown of the season with a remarkable catch against the Houston Texans.

The game at NRG Stadium started with strong defensive plays from both teams, resulting in a scoreless first quarter. A pivotal moment came when Bengals’ Dexter Lawrence tackled Texans running back David Montgomery, leading to a turnover on downs as Houston failed to gain the needed yardage.

Capitalizing on this turnover, quarterback Joe Burrow led the Bengals on an 81-yard drive, culminating in Chase’s outstanding touchdown. On first-and-10 from the Texans’ 32-yard line, Burrow chose to target Chase in single coverage. Despite being close to the sideline, Chase skillfully caught the ball in the end zone, displaying impressive body control.

Chase’s calm touchdown celebration contrasted with his teammates’ enthusiastic reactions. In the previous game, Chase had only two catches for 12 yards, while other teammates like tight end Mike Gesicki and running back Chase Brown had notable performances. Chase’s recent play underscores his vital role in the Bengals’ aspirations.

At halftime, the Bengals led 7-3 against the Texans, who were eager to bounce back from their week one home loss to the Buffalo Bills.