Chiefs Defender Admits KC Baited Ja'Marr Chase Into Costly Penalty
By Joe Summers
Star Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase had a rough game against the Chiefs in Week 2, catching just four passes for 35 yards while committing a damaging unsportsmanlike conduct penalty late in the contest.
Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie spoke after the victory and noted that Kansas City had a plan for Chase, intending to get in his head and knock him off his game. It clearly worked, and Chase had the fewest receiving yards he's ever had in this rivalry.
Considering he's still in a difficult contract extension negotiation, Chase's frustrations might not go away soon.
Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie Reveals Plan Against Ja'Marr Chase
Trent McDuffie on Ja'Marr Chase: “We know what he’s about & we just do our job to a point where you mess him up. You don’t have to do anything extra, just not allow him to catch the ball. ... Just not getting him the ball, I feel, is the biggest thing for us to get in his head.”
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) September 16, 2024
"We know what he's about and we just do our job to a point where you mess him up," McDuffie said. "You don't have to do anything extra, just not allow him to catch the ball...Just not getting him the ball, I feel, is the biggest thing for us to get in his head."
McDuffie was certainly right in that regard. Chase exploded on the referees and had to be restrained by Joe Burrow before continuing his antics with head coach Zac Taylor on the sideline. It was an embarrassing meltdown for Chase, who is one of the NFL's best players when focused.
Kansas City held Chase to three catches for 41 yards in last year's late-season contest that eliminated Cincinnati from the playoffs, and the Chiefs have seemingly taken full control of this rivalry. McDuffie has been a major part of that success.
Trent McDuffie in Week 2 (via @PFF)
— Pranav Sriraman (@PranavSriraman) September 16, 2024
4 Targets
1 Reception
4 Yards Allowed
-
1 PBU
2 STOPS
4 TKLS
-
Grades:
• 77.2 DEF
• 76.0 COV
-
64 Snaps (44 COV | 20 RUN)
Absolutely masterful performance, while primarily covering one of the league’s best receivers in Ja’Marr Chase. https://t.co/6UO1DZmCoz pic.twitter.com/xBS0i0pU9K
The First-Team All-Pro has become one of the most dominant defensive players in the league. With two Super Bowl rings in two seasons, he's one of the most successful too.
Through two weeks, McDuffie has surrendered a paltry 44.4% completion percentage and 53.5 passer rating when targeted. He's only been targeted nine times, so offenses are avoiding him entirely for the most part. Given the way he kept Chase in check, that seems like a good idea moving forward.
More Kansas City Chiefs News:
feed