Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Demand Better from the Baltimore Ravens

When the Baltimore Ravens face the Cincinnati Bengals, one name dominates their defensive prep: Ja’Marr Chase. The Bengals’ star wide receiver, known for his crisp route-running and ability to create separation with subtle moves, has become a persistent thorn in the Ravens’ side—torching them for 324 yards and 2 touchdowns in their last three matchups. Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Demand Better from the Baltimore Ravens explores how Chase’s precision on routes like the slant-and-go, comeback, and double move has exposed flaws in the Ravens’ secondary, forcing the team to rethink coverage schemes and individual defender responsibilities. For the Ravens, containing Chase isn’t just about stopping one player—it’s about fixing systemic issues that could derail their playoff hopes if left unaddressed.

Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Demand Better from the Baltimore Ravens begins with the most problematic route for the Ravens: Chase’s slant-and-go, a deceptive blend of speed and timing that has repeatedly burned their cornerbacks. Film from their Week 14 matchup shows Chase using this route to beat Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey for a 35-yard gain that set up a Bengals touchdown. Here’s how it works: Chase starts with a quick inside slant, drawing the cornerback’s hips inward, then suddenly accelerates vertically (the “go” part) to blow past them. “Chase’s ability to sell the slant is unmatched,” said former NFL cornerback Charles Tillman, a film analyst. “He leans his shoulders, drops his weight, and makes the defender think he’s cutting inside—then he flips the switch. The Ravens’ corners have been slow to recover, and that’s cost them big plays.” What makes this route even more dangerous is Chase’s hands: he consistently catches the ball in stride, turning short breaks into long gains. The Ravens’ defense, which prides itself on physicality, has struggled to disrupt this timing—often giving Chase too much space at the line, allowing him to execute the route without interference.

Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Demand Better from the Baltimore Ravens continues with Chase’s mastery of the comeback route, a technical play that exposes the Ravens’ struggles with hip fluidity and ball tracking. In their Week 8 matchup, Chase used a comeback to beat Ravens slot cornerback Arthur Maulet for a 22-yard catch on third-and-10, extending a Bengals drive that ended in a field goal. The comeback requires precise footwork: Chase runs 15–20 yards downfield, plants his outside foot hard to stop, and pivots back toward the quarterback—all while keeping his eyes on the ball. “Most receivers rush the pivot, but Chase takes his time,” Tillman explained. “He lets the cornerback overcommit to the deep route, then snaps back so fast the defender can’t recover. The Ravens’ corners have been reaching for him instead of staying balanced, leading to missed tackles or wide-open catches.” Film shows Chase winning this route 70% of the time against the Ravens, a rate far higher than his league average of 52%. This consistency isn’t a fluke—it’s the result of Chase’s endless reps in practice, where he hones the small details (foot placement, head fakes) that make the route unguardable.

Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Demand Better from the Baltimore Ravens shifts to the Ravens’ coverage scheme issues, which have amplified Chase’s impact. The Ravens often use man-to-man coverage against top receivers, trusting their corners to win one-on-one battles. But against Chase, this approach has backfired—his route-running exposes the Ravens’ corners’ tendency to “peek” at the quarterback, breaking their focus on Chase. In Week 14, film shows Humphrey glancing at Joe Burrow mid-play, giving Chase the split-second he needs to create separation for a 14-yard catch. “Man coverage only works if you lock in on your receiver,” said Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who acknowledged the issue in a recent presser. “We’ve been letting Burrow’s eyes distract us, and Chase is too good to let that happen.” For the Baltimore Ravens, the solution isn’t just better individual play—it’s schematic adjustment. They’ve started mixing in zone coverage to bracket Chase, using a safety to help over the top, but this has opened up opportunities for other Bengals receivers. Finding the right balance—between containing Chase and not neglecting the rest of the Bengals’ offense—has become a weekly puzzle for the Ravens’ defense.

Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Demand Better from the Baltimore Ravens delves into the individual defender challenges Chase presents, particularly for the Ravens’ younger corners. Rookie Pepe Williams, who filled in for the injured Maulet in Week 14, struggled to keep up with Chase’s double moves—specifically the “post-and-in,” where Chase fakes a deep post before cutting sharply across the middle. Film shows Williams getting turned around on this route, allowing Chase to catch a 28-yard pass that kept a Bengals drive alive. “Young corners often overreact to Chase’s first move,” Tillman said. “He’s a master of setting up defenders—he’ll give you a little juke, make you think you have him, then hit you with the real move.” For the Baltimore Ravens, developing their young corners to handle Chase’s nuances has become a priority. They’ve added extra route-running drills to practice, where coaches mimic Chase’s moves, and they’ve had veterans like Humphrey work one-on-one with Williams to share tips. “Chase forces you to be perfect,” Williams said. “Every step, every hip turn, every glance at the ball matters. I’m learning that the hard way—but I’m getting better because of it.”

Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Demand Better from the Baltimore Ravens wraps up with the long-term impact of Chase’s dominance: it’s pushing the Ravens’ defense to evolve. Since their first loss to the Bengals this season, the Ravens have revamped their secondary practice routine, adding “Chase-specific” drills and spending more time on film study of his route tendencies. They’ve also adjusted their pre-game preparation, having defenders watch clips of Chase’s best routes against other teams to identify patterns. The results were visible in their Week 17 rematch: while Chase still had 82 yards, he didn’t score a touchdown, and the Ravens limited him to just one catch of 20+ yards. “Chase makes us better,” Macdonald said. “He exposes our weaknesses, and we have to fix them if we want to win championships.” For the Baltimore Ravens, containing Chase isn’t just a short-term goal—it’s a litmus test for their defense’s growth. If they can consistently limit one of the NFL’s best receivers, they’ll prove they have what it takes to handle any offensive threat in the playoffs. In the end, Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Demand Better from the Baltimore Ravens is a story about growth—how a dominant opponent forces a team to confront its flaws and emerge stronger.