Is Ja'Marr Chase playing today? Bengals WR's status explored for Week 17 clash vs. Broncos

The Cincinnati Bengals' playoff hopes hinge on their Week 17 matchup against the Denver Broncos, with all eyes fixed on star receiver Ja'Marr Chase's availability. Chase leads the NFL in three major receiving categories heading into this crucial contest.

Chase will play against the Broncos today, as he remains absent from the injury report this week. His presence sets up an electric matchup against Denver's shutdown cornerback Pat Surtain II.

The Bengals star receiver has dominated the 2024 season, pacing the NFL with 108 catches, 1,510 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. His stellar campaign puts him on track for a rare triple crown, a feat accomplished by only four receivers since 1970.

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His impact extends beyond basic statistics. Ja'Marr Chase leads the NFL with 730 yards after catch, surpassing his teammate Tee Higgins' total receiving yards (727) for the season.

This showdown carries major playoff implications. The Broncos (9-6) could lock up their first playoff spot since 2015 with a win, while the Bengals (7-8) must prevail to keep their postseason dreams alive.

Ja'Marr Chase vs. Surtain II rematch

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Broncos head coach Sean Payton captured the magnitude of today's premier one-on-one battle.

"You've got the best in the game and I haven't even told you what position," Payton said Thursday. "Both of those guys, man, they're something. And I know both teams are glad they have them."

Surtain has smothered opposing receivers all season. He's allowed just 28 catches on 46 targets for 234 yards, the lowest yardage allowed by any cornerback through 16 games since 2016.

The history between these young stars runs deep. After facing off in college at LSU and Alabama, they met as rookies in 2021. Surtain won that round decisively, holding Ja'Marr Chase to one catch for 3 yards.

"He's gifted," Surtain said of Chase on Thursday. "One thing he does that I see is a lot of his yards come after the catch. He's strong after the catch. He's got really good hands, solid hands, so the main thing is making sure of what happens in the second act."

This matchup could determine both teams' playoff fates. The Broncos boast the NFL's second-best pass rush with 51 sacks, adding another layer of intrigue to this battle between two of football's brightest young talents.