Cardinals 'Pissed' After Ja'Marr Chase's Record-Setting Day

ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals found out the hard way.

After a frustrating loss last week, Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase told reporters he's "always f----- open" in the locker room.

Without receiver counterpart Tee Higgins available, the Cardinals knew Chase was going to be a primary target of quarterback Joe Burrow.

They didn't know - or anticipate - Chase would re-write record books.

Chase reeled in 15 of 19 targets for 192 receiving yards and three touchdowns on the day. According to ESPN, Chase is only the fifth player in NFL history to record 15 receptions and 3 TDs in a single game.

On Twitter/X following the game, Chase offered a short but loud tweet following a performance that set a Bengals franchise record for most receptions in a single game:

7/11 pic.twitter.com/6vdwKQkVfs
— Ja’MarrChase (@Real10jayy__) October 8, 2023

The Bengals were pleased to walk away with a 34-20 victory from State Farm Stadium. For the Cardinals, the feeling wasn't mutual.

"It seemed like he caught a lot of balls today for a lot of yards and a lot of touchdowns. So, obviously, as a defensive staff, myself being the leader of that, we didn't do enough on that side," Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said following the game.

"You can't let their best player beat you and that's what we just did. So that falls solely on me and we can't let that happen again. Point blank, there's the game of defense. You let their best player beat you. I'm pissed off about it. It's my fault. We got to get that cleaned up."

Arizona tried a few different players on Chase, though it was mostly Marco Wilson who found himself on the bad end of those receptions.

Wilson declined to speak with reporters after the game.

The Cardinals did battle injuries both before and during the matchup. Entering Week 5 without Budda Baker, the Cardinals also managed to lose Antonio Hamilton and Jalen Thompson at various points due to injury throughout the game.

Gannon wasn't looking for excuses when asked if injuries played a role in Chase's huge day:

"I mean, a little bit. But guys, that's the NFL. You watch games, there's guys going in and out of line up. You know what I mean? I think JT [Jalen Thompson] got nicked there. [Antonio] Hamilton got nicked but then returned I think, so we had some new guys playing. But you got to step up and you've got to play and execute. It's our job to put them in the right positions and help them out."

The Cardinals defense has now allowed 30 points or more in the last three-of-four games. Baker is eligible to return from the PUP list after Week 6 when the Cardinals face the Los Angeles Rams.