The Baltimore Ravens have caught fire over the last month. They extended their winning streak to five games after defeating the New York Jets in Week 12. Entering their Thanksgiving showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals, they are hungry for more. And this hunger is not for turkey and stuffing.
Baltimore is hungry for the playoffs, and their current win streak has put it in the perfect spot to make those dreams a reality. Once a 1-5 team through seven weeks, they have climbed to the top of the AFC North with a 6-5 record.
They face the Bengals in a pivotal Week 13 contest, and while the opposition is 3-8, the Ravens know it will be a challenging night. The return of quarterback Joe Burrow will make life difficult for Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s defense, as he and All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase always rip Baltimore’s secondary to shreds. Head Coach John Harbaugh knows the task ahead will be tough.
John Harbaugh confirms what every fan expected regarding Ja’Marr Chase
In his press conference on Tuesday, Harbaugh confirmed what every NFL fan suspected regarding the team’s game plan for Chase. He recognized Chase is one of the best wideouts the league has to offer, and is making sure the defense will be ready for the 25-year-old, no matter what.
“Ja’Marr Chase certainly does merit double coverage,” Harbaugh said. “He’s one of the premier receivers in the league, for sure. It’s hard to get to that because you’ve got so many weapons out there…We’ll have to balance all that out in what we do.”
He also added that the defense will have to focus on tackling when matching up with Chase and Bengals’ running back Chase Brown. In years past, Chase has burned Baltimore after the catch, and they will undoubtedly be looking to limit the big play.
Chase always gives the Ravens’ defense fits. In two games last year, Chase totaled 21 receptions for 457 yards and five touchdowns. Yes, in two games. Across nine contests in his career, he has five or more receptions in eight of those. He also has 50 or more receiving yards in seven out of those nine games.
The Burrow-to-Chase connection is as unstoppable as it gets. It seems no matter what Baltimore throws at them, they always torch the defense. Double coverage might give the Ravens the best chance to limit the damage, and with fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins out with a concussion, the coaching staff can afford to shift a lot more attention to Chase.
There may not be an answer for who will shadow Chase on Thursday. All-Pro slot corner Marlon Humphrey has dealt with him in the past, but has often struggled against him. Second-year corner Nate Wiggins has been strong this year and possesses the speed and athleticism to match him step-for-step. However, he could fall short in the physicality department. As for veteran corner Chidobe Awuzie, he might be the team’s best option on the outside, and his three-year tenure with the Bengals gives him a ton of experience against Chase.
Chase’s potential dominance in Week 13 seems inevitable, but if Orr’s defense continues its pace, they might finally be able to find some success against the four-time Pro Bowler.