Ja'Marr Chase's Impact Forces Adjustments by the Baltimore Ravens

When the Baltimore Ravens face the Cincinnati Bengals, there’s one name that dominates their defensive game planning: Ja’Marr Chase. The Bengals’ star wide receiver—known for his speed, contested-catch ability, and knack for turning short passes into long touchdowns—has consistently been a thorn in the Ravens’ side, forcing them to overhaul their usual defensive schemes and personnel to limit his impact. In their past three matchups, Chase has averaged 98 receiving yards and 1 touchdown per game, including a 125-yard performance in the Bengals’ Week 9 win this season. For the Ravens, who pride themselves on a flexible, disciplined defense, Chase’s presence isn’t just a challenge—it’s a catalyst for strategic change. Ja'Marr Chase's Impact Forces Adjustments by the Baltimore Ravens explores the specific tweaks the Ravens make to contain Chase, why these adjustments are necessary, and how they ripple through the rest of their defensive game plan.

Ja'Marr Chase's Impact Forces Adjustments by the Baltimore Ravens begins with Chase’s unique skill set— the combination of traits that make him a nightmare for the Ravens’ secondary. At 6’0” with 4.38 speed and elite body control, Chase excels in two areas that exploit the Ravens’ defensive tendencies: deep routes (where he can outrun cornerbacks) and contested catches (where he uses his strength to outmuscle defenders). In their Week 9 matchup, Chase beat Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey on a 40-yard deep ball for a touchdown, then later hauled in a 25-yard contested catch over safety Kyle Hamilton to set up another Bengals score. “Chase is one of the few receivers in the league who can beat you both deep and in tight coverage,” said Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. “He forces you to pick your poison—do you focus on stopping the deep ball and let him win contested catches, or vice versa? There’s no easy answer.” This versatility is why the Ravens can’t rely on their usual “zone-heavy” defense against the Bengals; Chase thrives in zone coverage by finding soft spots and using his speed to break free.

A key adjustment the Ravens make is shifting to man-to-man coverage— a departure from their usual scheme to limit Chase’s freedom. Normally, the Ravens run zone coverage on 60% of defensive snaps, using their linebackers and safeties to bracket receivers and limit big plays. But against Chase, they flip that script, playing man-to-man on 75% of snaps, with their top cornerback (usually Humphrey or Rock Ya-Sin) assigned to shadow Chase wherever he lines up. To compensate for the risk of man coverage (which can leave other receivers open), the Ravens also add a “safety over the top”—a strategy where Hamilton or Geno Stone lines up 10-15 yards deep, ready to help if Chase beats his cornerback. This adjustment was on full display in their 2023 matchup: Humphrey shadowed Chase all game, allowing just 4 catches for 52 yards, while Hamilton broke up two deep passes that would have been touchdowns. “Man-to-man is riskier, but it’s the only way to keep Chase from finding soft spots in zone,” Macdonald explained. “We trust our corners to win one-on-one, and our safeties to clean up if they don’t.”

Ja'Marr Chase's Impact Forces Adjustments by the Baltimore Ravens also includes adjusting pass-rush timing— a tweak to disrupt Joe Burrow before he can find Chase for the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens’ usual pass-rush strategy is to send four defenders and drop seven into coverage, prioritizing pressure while keeping the secondary intact. But against the Bengals, they alter this approach, sometimes sending five or six rushers to force Burrow to throw faster—before Chase can get deep downfield. They also use “stunts” (where defensive linemen swap positions) to confuse the Bengals’ offensive line, creating quick pressure that limits Burrow’s ability to scan the field. In their Week 9 game, the Ravens recorded 4 sacks and 8 quarterback hits, with Burrow averaging just 2.1 seconds to throw—well below his season average of 2.8 seconds. “If we can make Burrow throw before Chase gets open, we neutralize a big part of their offense,” said Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who had 1 sack and 2 hits in that game. For the Baltimore Ravens, this pass-rush adjustment is critical: it takes pressure off their secondary and limits the time Chase has to make plays.

Another adjustment is preparing specifically for Chase’s favorite routes— a practice focus that pays off for the Baltimore Ravens. In the weeks leading up to a Bengals game, the Ravens spend 30% of practice time on “Chase-specific” drills, where backup receivers mimic Chase’s most common routes (deep posts, slants, and fade routes). Defenders practice recognizing these routes quickly and reacting to Chase’s tendencies—like his habit of slowing down slightly before exploding off the line on deep routes. The Ravens also study film of Chase’s past matchups, noting how he adjusts to different coverages and which routes he prefers in specific situations (e.g., he runs a fade route 70% of the time in the red zone). “We don’t just prepare for the Bengals—we prepare for Chase,” said Humphrey. “We know his tendencies, his strengths, even his tells. That preparation lets us anticipate his moves instead of reacting to them.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this attention to detail has paid off: in their past two matchups, Chase has averaged 2 fewer catches and 35 fewer yards than his season average.

Finally, Ja'Marr Chase's Impact Forces Adjustments by the Baltimore Ravens wraps up with the ripple effect on the rest of the defense— how containing Chase shapes the Baltimore Ravens’ overall game plan. While the Ravens’ adjustments are focused on Chase, they often create opportunities (and challenges) elsewhere. For example, shifting to man-to-man coverage can leave Bengals receivers like Tee Higgins or Tyler Boyd open, forcing the Ravens to rely on their linebackers to cover short routes. To counter this, the Ravens sometimes use “ nickel” packages (five defensive backs) to add more coverage, but this weakens their run defense—something the Bengals try to exploit with running back Joe Mixon. “Adjusting for Chase is a balancing act,” Macdonald said. “You can’t focus so much on him that you let the rest of their offense beat you. It’s about finding that middle ground.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this balance is what makes facing Chase such a test of their defensive flexibility. Ja'Marr Chase's Impact Forces Adjustments by the Baltimore Ravens ultimately shows that elite players like Chase don’t just impact their own matchups—they force entire defenses to rethink their identity. For the Ravens, these adjustments aren’t just about winning one game; they’re about proving that their defense can adapt to the league’s most dangerous playmakers—a skill that will be critical in the playoffs.