Ja'Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals face the Denver Broncos on Saturday, with Chase set to go up against cornerback Patrick Surtain, who limited him to one catch for 3 yards in their 2021 matchup.
What happened in their previous meeting?
Chase had his worst statistical day of his career against Surtain, but the Bengals still managed to escape with a 15-10 win.
Why it matters for Ja'Marr Chase
A strong performance against Surtain could help the Bengals stay alive in the AFC playoff chase, while a loss could eliminate them from contention.
The Broncos' defense will get a boost with the expected return of second-year cornerback Riley Moss, who has been out for a month with a sprained MCL.
What comes next?
The Bengals need to beat the Broncos to stay alive in the playoff hunt, while the Broncos can clinch their first playoff berth since 2015 with a win or a tie on Saturday.
Chase has been a key player for the Bengals this season, with 108 catches for 1,510 yards and 16 touchdowns, and will look to bounce back from his previous performance against Surtain.
The Broncos' coach, Sean Payton, will likely look to run the ball more on Saturday, with rain in the forecast and Chase and quarterback Joe Burrow waiting on the opposite sideline.
The Bengals and Broncos have a lot at stake in this matchup, with the winner taking a crucial step towards the playoffs, and the loser facing an uphill climb to make it to the postseason.
The game will be a tough test for Chase, who will face off against one of the top cornerbacks in the league in Surtain, but he has the skills and talent to make a big impact and help his team come out on top.
The Broncos lost their last game to the Los Angeles Chargers, and will look to bounce back with a win over the Bengals, while the Bengals are coming off a win and will look to keep their momentum going.
Chase and the Bengals will need to be at their best to take down the Broncos and Surtain, and come out with a win on Saturday.
The stage is set for a big matchup between two of the top teams in the AFC, with Chase and the Bengals taking on the Broncos and Surtain in a game that could have a big impact on the playoff picture.