Uno vs. Surtain
Monday night features the first-ever showdown between the reigning Triple Crown winner and the reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year, as Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase will line up against Denver cornerback Pat Surtain II. Last season, Chase led the NFL and set Bengals single-season records for receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17; tied team record). Surtain recorded four interceptions and 11 passes defensed, while also allowing the fewest passing yards (306) among all cornerbacks with at least 400 coverage snaps.
The two All-Pro performers faced off in last December’s thriller at Paycor Stadium, which proved to be a back-and-forth individual battle. Surtain covered Chase on 36 routes run, and on six targets he yielded three receptions for 27 yards. Chase finished the game with 102 yards on nine catches, exploiting zone coverages and matchups against other Broncos defensive backs.
“It’s always good to watch Ja’Marr match up against great corners,” said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor on Thursday. “If Tee (Higgins) gets matched up as well, we always expect our guys to hold their own and find a winning matchup for us. I think (Surtain) is a really elite corner in this league, and I think our guys are always up for that challenge.”
