NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Joe Burrow passed for three touchdowns and went 19 yards for a score, and the Cincinnati Bengals rallied to beat the New Orleans Saints 30-26 on Sunday.
Two of Burrow’s touchdown throws went to Ja’Marr Chase — just like the last time the pair played in college in the Superdome in the national championship game triumph over LSU.
The second came on a quick pass to the left side that Chase turned into a 60-yard, go-ahead score with 1:57 left — a play in which the star receiver separated himself from cornerback Bradley Roby before outrunning safety Tyrann Mathieu.
It was a fitting end to a day that began with Burrow walking into the Superdome wearing Chase’s No. 1 LSU jersey, honoring the unforgettable bond he and Chase had the last time they played in New Orleans. This gesture also hinted at what they would do on their return.
Chase’s go-ahead score capped a rally in the final four minutes for Cincinnati (3-3), starting with Evan McPherson’s 52-yard field goal that cut New Orleans’ lead to 26-24.
The Saints (2-4) failed to get a first down on their next drive, and Blake Gillikin’s punt fluttered out of bounds at the Cincinnati 40.
One play later, Chase was running away from the Saints secondary.
It was the Bengals’ first lead, and they were able to stop New Orleans at midfield with a long, incomplete pass on fourth down. Former Saints cornerback Eli Apple was in coverage on that play, falling in front of receiver Marquez Callaway when the ball dropped near the sideline.
The Saints and their fans protested the dog interference penalty, but there was no flag.
New Orleans rushed for 228 yards as a team, but ended four drives inside the Cincinnati 20-yard line on Wil Lutz field goals.
Burrow’s other touchdown passes went for 9 yards to Joe Mixon and 15 yards to Chase.
A fumble by Bengals punt returner Trent Taylor set up the opening score of the game. Andrew Dowell fumbled and Adam Trautman recovered for New Orleans at the Cincinnati 32.
Soon after, Andy Dalton connected with Tre’Quan Smith over the middle for an 18-yard score.
After Mixon’s TD tied the game, the Saints regained the lead when rookie receiver Rashid Shaheed, making his NFL regular season debut, scampered 44 yards to the right end for a touchdown.
Burrow cut the Saints’ lead to 17-14 in the second quarter when he scrambled from near the sack and scampered 19 yards for a score.
Lutz’s second field goal made it 20-14 at halftime.
The Saints open at Arizona on Thursday night.
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