Patrick Surtain vs. Ja’Marr Chase: The Showdown Everyone’s Waiting for in Broncos-Bengals Clash!

If anyone can contain Cincinnati Bengals star receiver Ja’Marr Chase, it’s Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Their anticipated rematch is the highlight of the Broncos-Bengals clash this Saturday, a game loaded with playoff implications.

Surtain has done it before. Back in 2021, as rookies, Surtain held Chase to just one catch for three yards on four targets. It was a game where Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow managed only 157 passing yards. Reflecting on that matchup, Surtain said:
“That was early in my career. Rookie year? Yeah, it was a good game. They came in with a high-striking offense, and we knew we had to eliminate the explosives, eliminate their top threat. Ja’Marr, he’s a great player, one of, if not the best, receivers in the league.”

Defensive Reinforcements for Denver

This time, Denver’s defense gets a boost with the anticipated return of cornerback Riley Moss, who has been sidelined for a month with a sprained MCL. Moss’s comeback will provide much-needed depth and allow defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to lean on man-to-man coverage rather than zone. This strategic shift means Surtain can focus on shadowing Chase, while Moss is tasked with covering Bengals receiver Tee Higgins.

Chase, who boasts an impressive 108 receptions for 1,510 yards and 16 touchdowns this season, will be a tough assignment for Surtain. Higgins, with 58 catches for 727 yards and seven touchdowns, presents an equally challenging threat. Surtain acknowledged the task ahead, stating: “They’ve got a lot going on offensively, so it’s gonna be a good challenge. Trying to eliminate them like how we did that time would be great.”

High Stakes for Both Teams

Containing Chase could be the key to the Broncos securing a playoff spot. A victory or tie on Saturday would clinch Denver’s first postseason berth since 2015. Meanwhile, the Bengals, currently sitting at 7-8, are fighting to keep their AFC playoff hopes alive.

The stakes are reminiscent of their 2021 encounter when both teams entered the game with identical 7-6 records. Despite Chase’s worst statistical performance, the Bengals eked out a 15-10 win in Denver and later advanced to the Super Bowl. The Broncos, on the other hand, spiraled into a four-game losing streak, finishing 7-10 and extending their streak of losing seasons to seven.

This year, Denver snapped that skid with a strong 9-6 record. However, they missed an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot last week, blowing a double-digit second-half lead to the Los Angeles Chargers in a 34-27 defeat.

Running Game Key to Broncos’ Success

Head coach Sean Payton’s play-calling came under scrutiny in the loss to the Chargers. Despite writing “Run It!!” in bold letters on his play sheet, Payton dialed up only 14 rushing plays after an opening touchdown drive featuring four running backs carrying seven times for 43 yards. Audric Estime capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run.

With rain expected in Saturday’s forecast and Burrow and Chase lurking on the opposing sideline, the Broncos are likely to rely more heavily on their ground game. Establishing the run could help control the clock and keep Cincinnati’s potent offense off the field.