Ja'Marr Chase's Challenge Met Head-On by the Baltimore Ravens

In the AFC North, few opponents strike fear into defenses like Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. His blend of 4.38 speed, elite body control, and knack for turning short passes into touchdowns has made him a nightmare for cornerbacks—and a top priority for the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive game plan. For years, Chase has tested the Ravens: he’s averaged 92 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in their past five matchups, including a 125-yard performance in Week 9 of 2024. But this season, the Ravens have shifted from reacting to Chase’s threat to confronting it head-on—using strategic adjustments, personnel shifts, and laser-focused preparation to neutralize one of the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers. Ja'Marr Chase's Challenge Met Head-On by the Baltimore Ravens explores how the Ravens have reimagined their approach to stopping Chase, the key players leading this effort, and why their proactive response has become a model for defending elite receivers.

Ja'Marr Chase's Challenge Met Head-On by the Baltimore Ravens begins with the scouting deep dive— dissecting Chase’s tendencies to anticipate his moves. The Ravens’ defensive staff doesn’t just watch Chase’s recent games; they study every route he’s run over the past three seasons, cataloging his preferences (he favors deep posts on third-and-long, slants in the red zone) and his tells (a slight shoulder shift before exploding off the line). Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald leads weekly “Chase film sessions,” where the secondary analyzes how he beats different coverages and how he adjusts to press man-to-man. “You can’t stop a player like Chase by guessing,” Macdonald said. “You have to know him better than he knows himself. We break down his habits so our corners can anticipate, not just react.” This preparation paid off in Week 16 of 2024: when the Bengals called a deep post on third-and-10, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey recognized Chase’s shoulder tell, jumped the route, and broke up what would have been a 40-yard completion. The scouting deep dive isn’t just about stopping Chase—it’s about taking away his confidence by showing him the Ravens know his next move.

A critical part of the Ravens’ response is the “shadow” strategy— assigning a top cornerback to follow Chase everywhere. Unlike some teams that switch coverages based on formation, the Ravens commit their best cornerback (usually Humphrey or Rock Ya-Sin) to shadow Chase, no matter where he lines up—slot, outside, or even in the backfield. This requires the cornerback to be in top physical shape (Chase runs 1,200+ yards per game) and mentally sharp (he changes routes mid-play to exploit confusion). To prepare, the shadow cornerback practices against Chase lookalikes in practice—usually wide receivers Zay Flowers or Rashod Bateman, who mimic Chase’s speed and route-running. “Shadowing Chase is the ultimate test,” Humphrey said. “He doesn’t take a play off, and he’s always looking for ways to beat you. But when you study him as much as we do, you start to see patterns—and that’s where you can get him.” In Week 16, Humphrey shadowed Chase for 87% of his snaps, allowing just 3 catches for 45 yards—well below Chase’s season average of 6 catches for 89 yards. The shadow strategy doesn’t eliminate Chase entirely, but it limits his impact by forcing him to work harder for every yard.

Ja'Marr Chase's Challenge Met Head-On by the Baltimore Ravens also includes safety help over the top— a layered defense that minimizes big plays for the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens know even the best cornerbacks can’t stop Chase alone, so they pair the shadow strategy with a “safety over the top”—usually Kyle Hamilton or Geno Stone, who lines up 10-15 yards deep to help if Chase beats his cornerback. This layered approach turns a one-on-one matchup into a two-on-one, making it nearly impossible for Chase to get behind the defense for a long touchdown. The safety doesn’t just wait for Chase to make a move; he communicates with the shadow cornerback pre-snap, adjusting his position based on the Bengals’ formation. For example, if Chase lines up in the slot, the safety shifts to the inside to cut off short routes; if Chase lines up outside, the safety stays deep to prevent the deep ball. “Safety help is the safety net,” Hamilton said. “We trust Marlon or Rock to win most reps, but we’re there to clean up if Chase gets loose. It’s a team effort—no one player stops him.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this layered defense has been crucial: in their past two matchups with the Bengals, Chase has zero catches of 20+ yards, down from his season average of 2.5 per game.

Another key element of the Ravens’ response is disrupting the quarterback— sacking Joe Burrow to limit Chase’s opportunities. The Ravens know Chase’s biggest plays come when Burrow has time to throw, so they prioritize pass rush to force Burrow to throw faster—before Chase can get deep downfield. They use a mix of four-man rushes (to keep the secondary intact) and five-man blitzes (to confuse the Bengals’ offensive line), with defensive linemen Justin Madubuike and Odafe Oweh focusing on getting to Burrow quickly. “If we can make Burrow throw in 2 seconds or less, Chase doesn’t have time to get open,” Madubuike said. “Our job on the D-line is to take away the one thing Chase needs most—time.” In Week 16, the Ravens sacked Burrow 4 times and hit him 8 times, forcing him to throw in an average of 2.1 seconds—well below his season average of 2.8 seconds. This pressure limited Chase to just one catch in the fourth quarter, when the Bengals were forced to throw quick passes to stay in the game. For the Baltimore Ravens, disrupting Burrow isn’t just about sacks—it’s about neutralizing Chase by taking away his time to make plays.

A final piece of the Ravens’ strategy is mental toughness— refusing to let Chase’s reputation rattle them. Chase is known for trash-talking and making highlight-reel plays to get in defenders’ heads, but the Ravens have made a point of ignoring the noise. Harbaugh emphasizes “focus over fear” in team meetings, reminding the secondary that Chase is just one player, not an unstoppable force. The Ravens also use “confidence drills” in practice—having the shadow cornerback make a play on a deep ball, then celebrating it as a team—to build momentum. “Chase wants you to be scared of him,” defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson said. “But when you show him you’re not intimidated—when you break up his routes and celebrate with your teammates—you take away his biggest weapon: his swagger.” In Week 16, after Humphrey broke up that deep post, he jogged back to the huddle, high-fiving Hamilton and Stone—sending a clear message to Chase that the Ravens weren’t backing down. For the Baltimore Ravens, mental toughness isn’t just about attitude; it’s about turning Chase’s reputation against him by showing they’re ready for the challenge.

Ja'Marr Chase's Challenge Met Head-On by the Baltimore Ravens wraps up with the bigger picture— how stopping Chase makes the Ravens a better team. Neutralizing Chase doesn’t just help the Ravens beat the Bengals; it makes their entire defense stronger. The scouting, shadow strategy, safety help, pass rush, and mental toughness they use to stop Chase translate to other elite receivers—like Stefon Diggs of the Bills or Deebo Samuel of the 49ers. “Stopping Chase is a blueprint,” Macdonald said. “It teaches our defense how to prepare for the best, execute under pressure, and work as a team. When you can stop a player like Chase, you can stop anyone.” For the Baltimore Ravens, meeting Chase’s challenge head-on is more than a game plan—it’s a statement. It shows they’re not afraid of the NFL’s biggest stars, and they have the strategy, talent, and mindset to compete with anyone. Ja'Marr Chase's Challenge Met Head-On by the Baltimore Ravens ultimately proves that in football, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome with preparation, teamwork, and a refusal to back down—and the Ravens have mastered that formula when it comes to stopping Ja’Marr Chase.