The Joe Burrow Touchdown Bracket Round of 32: Day 14

Yesterday the Tiger King region didn’t get off to a very dramatic start as the 1-seed, Ja’Marr Chase’s 54-yard game ending touchdown against Florida advanced comfortably to the Sweet 16. Today we’ll see if another highly seeded Chase score advances.

No. 2: Ja’Marr Chase’s 23-yard opening touchdown vs. Georgia

Why it should advance:

Because it was the opening score of an SEC championship game that proved to be a total ass kicking. If there was ever any doubt about this game, remember this was the drive where Joe Burrow literally completed a pass to himself AND got 16 yards off it.

As for the play itself, I’m still not sure why Georgia thought rushing three against Burrow was a good idea. Maybe they saw how Burrow torched other defenses when they tried to blitz, so Georgia zagged by not bringing any pressure whatsoever. Smart!

And I think we don’t appreciate the throw by Burrow nearly enough here. Usually when I watch this play back I’m counting how long Burrow’s standing in the pocket, but that throw has some serious zip on it and the ball is placed perfectly to Chase even with a defensive back latched on to him like Yoda on Luke Skywalker.

No. 10: Chase’s 8-yard quick seam vs. Mississippi State

Why it should advance:

Because this is like the Diet Coke equivalent of Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s touchdown catch against Alabama. Let’s look at the parallels:

• LSU scores a touchdown the previous drive
• Mississippi State, like Alabama throws an interception
• Burrow makes both Alabama and Mississippi State pay for the turnover with a back breaking touchdown

This touchdown is also weirdly important because Mississippi State was thorn in LSU’s side for most of the first half. Remember, the Bulldogs had the game at 9-7 before LSU ripped off three touchdowns in four possessions. This touchdown throw to Chase was LSU’s way of letting Mississippi State know that no matter how tough you play them, Burrow and that offense is going to erupt sooner or later.