The Cincinnati Bengals fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-12 in Week 11, putting their record at 3-7, and making their already-slim playoff hopes that much smaller. And while the loss certainly hurts the Bengals, it's what happened in a fight between Ja'Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey that has been the talk of the league.
With roughly 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Chase and Rams ey were jawing at one another, as they had been doing all game. This time, though, things got physical as Jalen Ramsey punched the star wideout. Ramsey was ejected for hitting Chase, but explained why he did it after the game, saying Chase spit on him.
Chase denied any accusations, but video clearly shows he did, indeed, spit on Ramsey, and the NFL agrees. On Tuesday, the league issued a suspension for the All-Pro receiver.
"The NFL has suspended Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase one game for spitting in the face of Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey," Mike Garafolo reports.
The league released a statement on the matter, as well.
"Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been suspended without pay for one game for an act of unsportsmanlike conduct during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers," the statement reads. "During the fourth quarter, Chase spit on Pittsburgh cornerback Jalen Ramsey, violating Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to "any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship..."
This has massive implications for a Bengals team that needs to win out if it wants to get into the postseason. They'll face the 9-2 New England Patriots in Week 12, and without Chase, they'll have a much harder time getting a win over a Patriots team that leads the NFL in wins.
Should they fall to 3-8, there would be very little reason for Joe Burrow to try and come back for the Thanksgiving game against the Baltimore Ravens.
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