Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase sure sounded like he’ll suit up New Year’s Eve against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Chase returned to practice on Thursday after dealing with a shoulder injury that cost him last week’s game. Given that his Bengals are battling for their playoff lives against a conference rival, it’s no surprise that he’s trending to suit up.
Always open in his conversations with the media, Chase made even more news on Thursday. He was asked about the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense in talking to reporters. His answer took a turn, seemingly shading Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes without mentioning his name.
“At the end of the day, it’s only some much I can do myself. It’s not like I am Ironman,” Chase told reporters. “I can’t throw the football to myself. I know what I see on paper. I know what I see in-game. That’s why they double everybody. The best player on their team is (L’Jarius) Sneed.”
A few things to look at here. In addition to indicating that Sneed stands above Mahomes as the Chiefs’ best player, Chase is also seemingly throwing quarterback Jake Browning under the bus after he threw three interceptions in last week’s blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As for his take on the struggling Chiefs, their defense ranks No. 2 in the NFL in points allowed at 17.7 per game. It is also No. 3 in the league against the pass.
Related: Cincinnati Bengals standing in Sportsnaut’s NFL power rankings
Ja’Marr Chase stats (2023): 93 receptions, 1,156 yards, 7 TD
It’s also not a surprise that Chase is taking aim at the Chiefs. They have been Cincinnati’s chief rival in the AFC since the Bengals became a consistent playoff contender.
Back in 2021, Cincinnati defeated Kansas City in the AFC Championship Game to earn a spot in the Super Bowl. Chase recorded six receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown in that game. Cincinnati also took out Kansas City in the regular season last year before falling to the Chiefs in the conference title game. Those two matchups saw Chase combine for 13 receptions and 172 yards.
Cincinnati heads into NFL Week 17 at 8-7 and tied for the final wild card spot in the AFC. However, it loses the tiebreaker to other 8-7 squads in that of the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers.
As for Kansas City, it is coming off a brutal home loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day. Patrick Mahomes and Co. have lost five of eight since starting the season 6-1. We’re sure emotions will be running high New Year’s Eve in Ohio.