Ravens can’t overlook Giants thanks to their Ja’Marr Chase-like weapon

When Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr compared Giants rookie Malik Nabers to Ja’Marr Chase this week, you could almost hear the collective groan from Ravens fans. Chase has been Baltimore’s kryptonite, torching the Ravens for 457 yards and five touchdowns in two meetings this year alone.

Now Orr is putting Nabers in the same conversation? That’s enough to make any Ravens fan nervous ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

Let’s face it: Ja’Marr Chase has been a nightmare for the Ravens since he entered the league. In his first game against Baltimore as a rookie in 2021, he exploded for 201 yards and a touchdown. Fast forward to 2024, and Chase hasn’t slowed down. This season, he racked up 193 yards and two touchdowns in the first matchup and followed it up with 264 yards and three scores in the rematch. It’s not hyperbole to say he’s single-handedly swung games against Baltimore.

So when Orr mentions Malik Nabers in the same breath as Chase, it’s a big deal.

Malik Nabers is no Ja'Marr Chase... yet

Nabers isn’t Chase right now, but the similarities are there. Like Chase, he has an uncanny ability to make tough catches look routine. His precise route-running and burst off the line make him a matchup problem, even for seasoned corners. And much like Chase’s rookie season, Nabers is thriving despite a less-than-ideal situation around him.

With 80 catches for 819 yards and three touchdowns, Nabers has been the lone bright spot in an otherwise bleak season for the Giants. Considering he’s dealing with inconsistent quarterback play and an offense that ranks near the bottom of the league, his production is even more impressive.

The Ravens’ secondary has been improving, but elite receivers like Chase continue to find ways to exploit them. That’s what makes Sunday’s game so intriguing. If Nabers truly is cut from the same cloth as Chase, the Ravens’ secondary will need to step up to the plate. Otherwise, the rookie could turn this into another long day for Baltimore.

For the Ravens, this game is about pride. The Giants can't move the ball on anyone. Seeing as though backup QB Tommy DeVito will get the start, there's no excuse for Nabers to go off like Chase. If Orr’s comparison is accurate, Nabers could eventually join the ranks of the league’s elite receivers. Stopping him now would send a clear message: the Ravens’ defense is ready for anyone, even the next Ja’Marr Chase.

But if Baltimore’s secondary falters again? Well, let’s just say Ravens fans might want to start bracing for a very familiar kind of pain.

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