After a tough battle, the Cincinnati Tigers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 34-31 at home to win their first division title since 2015. It was also the day when Tigers rookie receiver Jamal Chase broke the record number of rookie yards set last year by Louisiana State University alumnus Justin Jefferson to 1,429 yards, the most since the Super Bowl era. And Chase didn't break the record in 17 games, just 16 like Jefferson.
"To be honest I'm a little confused, I'm excited, but just a little confused." Chase said after the win. The rookie cut 266 yards and 3 touchdowns in the game, which is also a rookie record, and no rookie receiver in history has been able to cut 266 yards in a single game, which is also the record for the Tigers. You know, the Tigers only advanced 475 yards, and Chase advanced more than half of the team's total yards. Bill Groman holds the record for a rookie receiver in 1473 yards, which he got in 1960 by the Houston Oilers, and next week Chase can surpass Groman with 45 yards and become the rookie receiver in the entire history of the NFL.
"If you always want to be one-on-one with him, I advise you to be careful." Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow said: "He's a great player and will be one of the strongest players in the NFL for a long time. He doesn't care if he's got more than 260 yards and 3 touchdowns, he cares about the team winning and having a teammate like that is awesome. Chase has also led the league in five 50-yard or more catches this season, and his offensive explosiveness is an important factor in the Tigers' ability to win the American League's Northern Division championship.
In addition to Chase, Atalanta Falcons mid-range winger Kyle Pitts also broke the rookie catch record. Picked in the fourth round of this year's draft, Pitts is one of the best offensive rookies of the year. In yesterday's 15-29 loss to Buffalo Bills, Pitts became the second rookie midfielder in NFL history to receive more than 1,000 yards. In this game, Pitts completed two catches to advance 69 yards, bringing the total number of yards received in the season to 1010 yards.
Unfortunately, Pitts also injured hamstring during the game, and head coach Arthur Smith did not reveal more after the game. If Pitts has no problems with his hamstrings, Pitts will aim at The 1076 yard rookie record set by Dietka in 1961 with the Chicago Bears. That would require Pitts to score 67 yards in the final week of the season against the Saints. While "Mike the Iron Man" was known for his breakthrough ability and toughness, Pitts established himself in Atlanta with his versatility.
Entering week 17, Pitts finished twentieth in the league with more yards than outside the main players of the teams such as Mike Evans, Brandon Cooks, Terry McLaughlin and D.K. Metcalf.
(Great White)