4 battles will decide Ravens vs. Bengals in Week 2: Ja'Marr Chase vs. the Rain, more

Here are four battles that could shape the outcome of Sunday's game and end up deciding the matchup between Bengals and Ravens in Week 2 of the 2023 regular season, with the kick-off scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET at the Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

Baltimore Ravens v Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore Ravens v Cincinnati Bengals | Andy Lyons/GettyImages
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4. Ja'Marr Chase vs. Cincinnati's Weather

Turns out Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is more into talking than into balling this season. But hey, the Ravens can't complain!

The Cincinnati Bengals visited the Cleveland Browns on Week 1 for a season-opening game that they ended up losing 24-3 without ever putting on a nearly strong effort to try and pull off a comeback.

Chase himself grabbed a few passes for 39 yards, which is far from the player we know and the performer that has done wonders multiple times in the past. Chase, in fact, has 30 catches for 462 yards and 2 TDs in four games against the Ravens.

A lot of Bengals fans, pundits, and players--including Chase--have blamed their Week 1 defeat on... the rain? Welp.

Asked about whether the Bengals lost because of the Browns' pass rushing or the weather, Chase told Olivia Ray of Channel 5 (h/t Bengals.com) "You need to grip the ball to throw the ball, so I'd say rain." The receiver added "If we get rain, we just have to adjust to it this time. The ball was slipping out of hand. Then when we'd catch the ball, it slipped through the glove. It was horrible."

According to Forecasat.io (h/t RotoWire), there is a "19% chance of precipitation" at 1:00 PM EST on Sunday. Will Chase be able to do anything in the rain?

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