Ja'Marr Chase, the star wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, is making headlines not just for his on-field prowess but also for his current contract holdout. As the Bengals prepare for their upcoming Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots, Chase's status is a critical factor that could influence the game’s outcome.
Chase was a key player in his team's last meeting with New England, catching eight of 11 targets for 79 yards in a 22-18 Bengals victory on December 24, 2022. His ability to dominate opposing defenses is well-known, but as of now, whether he'll take the field this week remains up in the air.
"If he's going to play at all this week against New England, that deal has to get figured out in the next 48 hours," ESPN's Adam Schefter said Tuesday on the Pat McAfee Show. "And even then, you might only be able to use him in certain situations like red zone, key third downs, whatever it may be. Maybe you dress him and have him, but you don't even use him. Because the truth is they should be able to handle New England at home.
"The key thing here is the Bengals play the Chiefs next week, and to me, that becomes a real leverage point for Ja'Marr Chase because if somehow, some way he's still not practicing and not playing in that game, against that team, that impacts your ability in a game that could very well have seeding ramifications later in the season. So, there’s a lot riding on this. Both sides know it. Both sides are going to work to get it done, but it is a tricky deal to get done. My guess is somehow they figure it out.”
Chase's absence would force the Bengals to lean more heavily on fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins, who was brought back on the franchise tag, and quarterback Joe Burrow. However, with Jerod Mayo, a disciple of Bill Belichick, likely to focus on taking away Cincinnati's top receiving threat, the Bengals' offensive strategy could be disrupted if Chase is sidelined or limited.
For those looking at the betting lines, the Patriots have seen movement from +8 to +9.5 and back to +8.5, largely due to the uncertainty around Chase's status.
Given New England's strong defense and poor offense, backing the Patriots now at +8.5 or taking the under could be a smart play if Chase is out or restricted.
As the clock ticks down, the next couple days will be crucial in determining whether Chase suits up against the Patriots and how the Bengals' offense will shape up in this pivotal AFC matchup. I’d place his value around a full point on the line.
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