Ja'Marr Chase Praises Bengals' Overhauled Defense After 2-0 Start

The Cincinnati wide receiver called the rebuilt defensive unit the team's "backbone" after wins over Tampa Bay and Houston.

The Cincinnati Bengals opened the season 2-0, and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is crediting the team's rebuilt defense for the fast start.

Cincinnati overhauled its roster in the offseason after missing the playoffs three consecutive years, adding veterans including Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook.

Through two weeks, the defense has held down both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans.

After a two-touchdown performance, Chase told reporters he could not describe how much he loves the defense right now. "They're our backbone," he said. "We're going to feed off their energy."

The 2-0 start marks just the third time in franchise history Cincinnati has opened with two wins, and it is the first such start of the Burrow-Taylor era, with quarterback Joe Burrow healthy heading into Week 3.