Amidst the Bengals and Chiefs’ struggles, Week 17 placed them in the NFL’s spotlight, with the premier late Sunday game over the Dolphins-Ravens. Notably, Bengals star receiver Ja’Marr Chase and the Chiefs have cultivated one of the league’s most compelling rivalries.
Trading both on-field and off-field banter, the anticipation heightened during Thursday’s exchanges within the Bengals’ locker room. This intense dynamic adds an extra layer of excitement to their upcoming clash, showcasing more than a battle on the field.
Ja’Marr Chase calls out Chiefs’ defense
Ja’Marr Chase, who made a bold prediction about Joe Burrow, dissed the Chiefs’ defense when asked about their standout qualities. He bluntly stated, “I’ll be honest, nothing,” emphasizing their familiarity with the Bengals’ playing style.
The WR mentioned the Chiefs’ understanding of the Bengals’ leverages, movements, and defensive strategies. He noted the use of double coverage to thwart the Bengals’ two best players on the outside.
“They just know how to play us. They know the leverages. . . . They know what we’re going to do, certain movements. They throw a little double-doubles at us to stop the two best players on the outside. That’s all they do. It’s not really like they got a Jalen Ramsey on their squad. So, not much [stands out].”
Ja’Marr Chase asserted that the Chiefs lack a standout player like Jalen Ramsey on their squad. He also suggested that the absence of such a player contributes to his perception of their defense.
The WR expressed his enjoyment of playing against the Chiefs due to their vocal on-field communication. He added his indifference to adding “fire to the fuel” and welcomed the Chiefs to interpret his comments as they wished.
Ja’Marr Chase acknowledged the team nature of football, stating he can’t do everything himself, and highlighted the Chiefs’ defensive strategy of doubling every player, emphasizing their cautious approach. He identified L’Jarius Sneed as the best player on the Chiefs’ defense, stating it as a widely known fact.
“They can take it how they want it. I don’t care. At the end of the day, there’s only so much I can do myself. It’s not like I’m Ironman. I can’t throw the football to myself. It’s a team sport. I know what I see on paper. I know what I see in a game. That’s why they double everybody, because they can’t do it one-on-one. The best player on their team is [L’Jarius] Sneed. That’s a fact. Everybody knows that. That’s why they double-double everything they see.”
Ja’Marr Chase asserted that there is nothing special about the Chiefs, they only have the advantage of knowing the Bengals really well.
“They know I’m good. They know how to play us,” the WR said. “That’s what it is. But it’s not like they got a superstar on their defense.”
Ja’Marr Chase’s comments provided insight into his perception of the Chiefs’ defense, which is clearly not very high.
Is there any rivalry between Chiefs and Bengals?
The Chiefs and Bengals have faced each other 33 times in total (regular season and playoffs combined). The Chiefs hold an overall record of 15-18 against the Bengals, indicating a 45.5% win rate.
In regular-season games alone, the Chiefs have a 14-17 record against the Bengals, with a 45.2% win rate. The Bengals (8-7) and Chiefs (9-6) share a competitive history, indicating a mutual rivalry.
The Bengals have won the past two regular-season games against the Chiefs, highlighting their recent success. They are currently tied in playoff game wins with a 1-1 record. The Chiefs won the most recent playoff game against the Bengals in the 2022 Conference Championship.
The longest winning streak the Chiefs have had over the Bengals is three games. The most recent game between the Chiefs and Bengals occurred on January 29, 2023.
Who will win the upcoming bout between the Bengals and the Chiefs? Drop your predictions in the comments section.
