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2021 NFL: 20 Bold predictions for the final two months of season

By Randy Gurzi

Nov 25, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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2021 NFL
Sep 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) celebrates a nine-yard touchdown pass with wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) and wide receiver Auden Tate (19) against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports /

2021 NFL Bold Prediction No. 12: Ja’Marr Chase easily wins Offensive ROY

Just as easily as Micah Parsons wins the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, another first-round selection is going to easily win the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award. Ja’Marr Chase was a great pick by the Cincinnati Bengals even if there were some vocal pundits who didn’t like what the team was doing.

With quarterback Joe Burrow coming off a torn ACL suffered during a rookie season where he was abused week in and week out, the Bengals were expected to make a play for an offensive tackle. And at No. 5 overall, Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell was there for the taking.

However, so was Chase who was not only head and shoulders above the class at wide receiver, but he was also a former teammate of Burrow at LSU. So instead of going with the big guy to block defensive ends, Cincy went with Burrow’s trusted wideout and the results have been phenomenal.

Chase has 50 receptions for 906 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games. Not only has he been brilliant but they’ve gotten some solid play from free-agent addition Riley Reiff at left tackle. Sure, he’s not the long-term answer but he did the job in 2021 and they can replace him with a draft pick in 2022 — while still having one of the best deep threats in the game.

Well played by Cincinnati, and we will all be reminded of that when he wins the award even with the stellar play of Mac Jones in New England.

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