Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Challenge the Baltimore Ravens Corners

Ja’Marr Chase has long been a thorn in the Baltimore Ravens’ side, but his performance in their Week 16 matchup elevated his dominance to a new level. The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver didn’t just catch 8 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown—he dismantled the Ravens’ cornerbacks with route-running precision that left defenders scrambling to keep up. Chase’s ability to blend elite speed with sudden, sharp cuts, and subtle pre-snap adjustments makes him a nightmare for even the most seasoned corners. Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Challenge the Baltimore Ravens Corners breaks down the specific route techniques he used to exploit the Ravens’ secondary, from his signature “sluggo” (slant-and-go) to his underrated comeback routes, and why the Ravens’ current cornerback group has no answer for his versatility.

Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Challenge the Baltimore Ravens Corners begins with his mastery of sudden break routes—specifically the slant and quick out—that exploit the Ravens’ corners’ tendency to overcommit. In the second quarter of Week 16, Chase lined up in the slot against Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens, who opted for press coverage. As the snap came, Chase took one step forward, then abruptly cut left into a slant route, using his 4.38-second speed to create separation before Stephens could react. Joe Burrow delivered the pass in 1.8 seconds, and Chase turned upfield for a 19-yard gain—one of four slant-route completions he had against the Ravens that day. Film analysis shows Chase’s secret: he doesn’t just cut—he “plants and explodes,” using his lower-body strength to generate instant acceleration that leaves corners off-balance. “Chase’s breaks are like a light switch—off one second, on the next,” said former NFL cornerback Charles Woodson, who analyzed the game for ESPN. “The Ravens’ corners play aggressive, but that aggression works against them when Chase can change direction that fast.” This issue was compounded by the Ravens’ lack of a true shutdown corner; Marlon Humphrey, their top corner, was limited by a knee injury and couldn’t match Chase’s speed on short breaks.

Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Challenge the Baltimore Ravens Corners delves into his use of speed variation on deep routes—a technique that torched the Ravens’ safeties and forced corners to play out of their comfort zones. The game’s defining play came in the fourth quarter, when Chase lined up wide left against Humphrey. Instead of sprinting off the line (his usual approach), Chase started with a slow, controlled release, luring Humphrey into a relaxed stance. Then, at the 10-yard mark, Chase exploded into a go route, leaving Humphrey two steps behind. Burrow lofted a perfect pass, and Chase hauled in the 45-yard touchdown that sealed the Bengals’ win. Film shows that Chase’s speed variation isn’t random; he studies film to identify when corners are anticipating a deep route, then adjusts his release to catch them off-guard. “Most receivers run deep routes at one speed—full tilt,” said NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger. “Chase changes gears like a race car driver. He knows when to ease up, when to shift, and when to floor it—and the Ravens’ corners can’t keep up with that rhythm.” This play wasn’t an anomaly, either; Chase has recorded at least one deep touchdown against the Ravens in each of their last three matchups, a trend that speaks to his ability to exploit their deep-coverage weaknesses.

Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Challenge the Baltimore Ravens Corners examines how his contested-catch adjustments on intermediate routes create mismatches for the Baltimore Ravens’ corners. In the third quarter, Chase ran a 15-yard comeback route against Stephens, who had tight coverage throughout the play. As Burrow’s pass arrived, Chase turned his body to shield Stephens from the ball, using his 6-foot-1 frame and strong hands to secure the catch while being dragged to the turf. The play resulted in a first down and extended a Bengals drive that ended in a field goal. What makes this route so challenging for the Baltimore Ravens’ corners is Chase’s ability to adjust mid-route based on coverage. If a corner plays tight, he uses his body to create space; if a corner gives cushion, he accelerates to close the gap and make a quick catch. “Chase doesn’t just run a route—he adapts it,” said Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who addressed the team’s struggles with Chase in a post-game press conference. “Our corners are taught to contest every catch, but Chase finds a way to win those battles even when he’s not the first to the ball.” This skill is particularly problematic for the Ravens, who rely on their corners to make plays in one-on-one situations without safety help.

Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Challenge the Baltimore Ravens Corners explores his pre-snap deception—a underrated aspect of his game that confuses the Baltimore Ravens’ secondary before the ball is even snapped. In Week 16, Chase repeatedly used subtle shifts at the line of scrimmage to disguise his route intent. On one play, he lined up in a three-point stance (usually a sign of a run-blocking assignment) before quickly standing up and running a fade route against Humphrey. The sudden shift caught Humphrey off-guard, giving Chase just enough separation to make a 22-yard catch. On another play, Chase pretended to adjust his gloves for three seconds after the Bengals’ offense lined up, then sprinted off the line as the snap came—catching Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet flat-footed. “Chase is a student of the game,” said Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters. “He studies how the Ravens’ corners react to pre-snap movement, then uses that against them. He’s not just a physical talent—he’s a mental one, too.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this pre-snap deception disrupts their defensive calls; corners often have to communicate adjustments on the fly, which leads to confusion and missed assignments—exactly what Chase and the Bengals want.

Ja'Marr Chase's Routes Challenge the Baltimore Ravens Corners wraps up with why the Ravens’ current cornerback group has no long-term solution for Chase’s dominance. The Ravens’ top corners—Humphrey, Stephens, and Maulet—each have clear weaknesses that Chase exploits: Humphrey’s speed has declined with injuries, Stephens struggles with sudden breaks, and Maulet lacks the size to contest Chase’s catches. Adding to the problem is the Ravens’ lack of depth; their backup corners (like Jalyn Armour-Davis) are unproven and have even less success against elite receivers. Unless the Ravens address their cornerback position in free agency or the draft—targeting a fast, physical corner with the ability to match Chase’s route versatility—this trend will likely continue. “Chase is the gold standard for wide receivers in the NFL right now,” said Ravens GM Eric DeCosta, who acknowledged the team’s need to upgrade the secondary this offseason. “To beat teams like the Bengals, we need corners who can not just cover him, but make him work for every catch. Right now, we don’t have that.” For the Baltimore Ravens, Chase’s route-running isn’t just a game-day challenge—it’s a reminder of a critical roster need that must be fixed to compete for an AFC title. Until then, Chase will continue to be the Ravens’ worst nightmare, turning every matchup into a masterclass in how to dismantle a secondary with route precision.