Marlon Humphrey Makes Candid Ja’Marr Chase Admission Ahead Of Ravens-Bengals Clash

Marlon Humphrey Gets Candid About Facing Ja’Marr Chase© Instagram

Marlon Humphrey has seen enough of Ja'Marr Chase to know what awaits him Sunday. Asked about another meeting with Cincinnati's star receiver, the Ravens cornerback offered a wish that sounded familiar to defensive backs around the league: “It would be cool if I didn't match up with him so much.”

Baltimore cannot arrange that for him. The Ravens enter the AFC North matchup at 4–2, with the Bengals coming off their bye at 3–2. Chase and Tee Higgins give Joe Burrow two reasons to keep throwing, even when a corner appears to have the coverage right.

Humphrey Knows What Chase Can Do

The numbers explain the laugh behind Humphrey's answer. According to Next Gen Stats figures published by the Ravens, he has matched up with Chase 83 times, more than any other defender since Chase entered the league in 2021.

Chase has caught 14 of 21 targets for 318 yards in those matchups. Humphrey has intercepted two passes while covering him, too. There have been chances to hit back.

Still, 318 yards on 14 receptions tells Baltimore plenty about the cost of losing a rep. Winning on several snaps means little if the next completion sends Chase racing downfield.

Nate Wiggins will have his share of work on the other side. Neither corner can expect Burrow to abandon a matchup simply because the receiver looks covered. Humphrey described a quarterback willing to trust his targets to beat the man in front of them.
 

Cincinnati Arrives With Burrow Finding His Targets

Before the bye, Burrow threw four touchdown passes in Cincinnati's 31–24 win over Miami. He completed 23 of 32 attempts for 190 yards without an interception, spreading completions among nine players.

Chase supplied the finish: a one-handed catch on a 45-yard touchdown. Mike Gesicki, Samaje Perine and Tanner Hudson caught the other scoring passes.

That distribution matters for Baltimore. Chase commands attention, but Cincinnati's last game showed how many other players can finish a possession when Burrow gets the opening he wants. Loading up on one receiver leaves decisions elsewhere.

Humphrey called this Baltimore's biggest test yet. Linebacker Trenton Simpson, meanwhile, has backed the Ravens' starting corners to meet it.

Sunday will demand more than confidence. Humphrey knows Chase can make a play against him; he has spent enough afternoons chasing the evidence. Keeping those catches from becoming long gains will occupy Baltimore well beyond its individual coverage assignments.