Not only does Chase, a three-time Pro Bowler, compete with Lamb, another three-way player, he could also compete with the NFL’s most productive cornerback combination in Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland. If Chase leads the NFL with the most touchdown catches of at least 50 yards since entering the league in 2021, then Diggs comes in with a league-best 17 interceptions over the same period. Bland has the second-most interceptions since 2022 with 14.

They haven’t played together yet this season. Bland just returned from a foot injury that kept him out of action until two weeks ago, and Diggs injured his knee three weeks ago and is a game-time decision after being limited in practice all week.

Chase may be trying to reminisce. But he has his opponent under control.

“Two great, standout corners,” Chase said. “One led the league for a year and the other almost did.”

And he also knows everything about Lamb. Lamb got last season what Chase wants this season and wrote it on the mirror in his famous anecdote:

“CeeDee is also versatile,” says Chase. “He started in college. A little bit more shady… I like how shady he is… I’m not running against them. I’m competing against myself.”

Chase also knows that the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, his old friend Mike Zimmer, was the Vikings’ head coach in his first NFL game. The one in which he delivered foreshadowing worthy of a classic novel with five catches for 101 yards and a 50-yard touchdown, ushering in the flurry of 50-plus scores.

“I’m sure they won’t play the same way. Totally different,” Chase says of the man-to-man he beat in that long-ago opening game. “Probably more two-highs (zone). They have a great defense there. They probably trust their players to make one-on-one plays. I’m sure he trusts his players.”

Zimmer, who started coordinating NFL defenses the year Walters was drafted, is the first to know that Chase is not the same player from that September.

“He’s watching more tapes,” Walters says. “He knows how to watch tape, and not just plays, but different types. Look at intrigue and what they are trying to do.”

Chase will tell you that he wasn’t always so aware of the game and its intricacies. He has to go back to his sophomore year at LSU against Florida to remember his first real film session, courtesy of a cerebral Ohio State transfer named Burrow.

“I just found the right people to put me in positions and teach me those positions,” Chase says. “Joe was actually one of the first people to sit me down and watch movies. I learned a lot from him in college and since Joe Brady was my coach there, those two guys together really helped my intelligence… I started watching defenders and DBs and how they move.

Walters is still thinking about the smartest thing he saw Chase do. Since there were many, he wants to make sure he picks the right one. But he can tell you why he had to be so smart this year. Last year, 49 of his targets came in the slot, according to Pro Football Focus. This year he is already 46 years old and still has five games left.

“He learns several different positions, and then within each position, each place you line up, the coverage changes,” Walters said. “On the outside you have to hit the corner. On the inside you have to hit a nickel and a linebacker. When you’re No. 3, you have to hit a nickel, a middle linebacker, and a safety: Everything changes when you move, and he did a great job of understanding the coverages what to do what we’re trying to do by putting it in different places and that’s why it’s outstanding.”

Burrow doesn’t make much of this first film session. Apparently Chase didn’t need much prodding.

“You see him. He’s Ja’Marr,” Burrow says.

“He might say give me one play, but he’s going to go full throttle 100 percent of the game so we can secure that reputation for the game. He’s been like this since we were in college together. “He wants to go full throttle.” Game representative,” says Burrow. “That’s what you have to do if you want to be great. If you play it like a game in training, you get to the game where you already have a representative in that situation. I know how fast he’s going to run and I can get the ball where I need it and judge his speed because I’ve seen him so many times in training now that his full speed doesn’t change, day for day.”

When it comes to a play that required him to rely more on sheer intelligence than talent, Chase can’t single it out.

“I feel like I do that every game now. Now that I’m moving more, I have to think more,” says Chase. “I feel like I do that every game.”

Walters can’t point out his smartest play, but one thing Walters says he has in common with the Hall of Famers is that he makes very few plays and makes the most of his opportunities. According to PFF, Lamb led the league in targets Sunday, while Chase was fourth. Over the last three games, Chase has played at least 94% of the snaps. He has played all but 30 snaps this season.

“All the elite guys I played with took care of their bodies. They couldn’t get out of the games,” Walters said. “He doesn’t need many breaks. He’s like that in training too. He can complete the entire training. He has never had problems with hamstring injuries or soft tissue muscle injuries. During the game he may freak out once or twice. He”I will be playing most of the game. In this respect too he is something special.

Walters just can’t decide on one of his smartest plays. OK, there’s the famous “Retro” call from the final series in Baltimore last month, when he burst 21 yards down the sideline on a play that set up his own touchdown, cutting the lead to one and putting the Bengals in position to win in the last minute.

“We hadn’t repeated it. It wasn’t in the game plan,” Walters said. “But no, I have to think.”