Cincy Jungle
The Cincinnati Bengals’ win over the Ravens on Thanksgiving Night was not only a rarity in the rivalry in the Lamar Jackson era, but it also ushered in a new sense of confidence within Cincinnati’s locker room after Joe Burrow’s performance. The Bengals’ quarterback appeared to have brought an additional spark to a team that was reeling from a number of inexplicable losses.
Even with Burrow in and out of the lineup, star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has continued to put up All-Pro numbers. Like his predecessor, A.J. Green, Chase has become a Ravens-killer in his career, with last night’s production giving him another historical NFL accolade.
Chase now owns the highest receiving yards-per-game average vs. one NFL team. He also passed Jerry Rice for the fourth-most receiving yards by a player in their first five seasons in NFL history.
This insane streak started in his rookie year, wherein Chase had 15 catches for 326 yards and a touchdown (the infamous Kevin Harlan “He put him in a blender!” call). In 2022, he didn’t crack 100 yards receiving in the three games vs. Baltimore, but averaged 73.3 yards receiving and had two touchdowns.
With his seven-catch, 110-yard effort on Thursday Night, his 119.1 yards per game against the Ravens in his career is an NFL-best for any receiver against any NFL opponent, ever.
Needless to say, with Baltimore routinely towards the top of the AFC North, these consistent high performances continue to keep Cincinnati in the Divisional hunt.
Chase has had to deal with three different starting quarterbacks, but is still among the top statistical wide receivers in the league this year. With a weekend’s worth of games still to be played, he leads the league with 86 receptions, is third in receiving yards with 971, and has five touchdown receptions.
While there is another game between the Ravens and Bengals this year, this mark continues to cement Chase as one of, if not the best receiver in the league.
