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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase expressed his frustration after the team’s Week 1 loss to the Cleveland Browns, referring to them as “elves.”
Chase’s comments earlier in the week had raised eyebrows when he seemingly downplayed the significance of facing their AFC North rivals, saying, “Cleveland is Cleveland.”
However, the Browns had the last laugh on Sunday, dominating the game with a convincing 24-3 victory.
This marked the ninth win in their last 11 meetings against the Bengals. Chase, who was limited to five receptions for 39 yards during the contest, couldn’t help but feel the sting of his earlier remarks.
Speaking after the game, Chase admitted his frustration, saying, “It’s frustrating because I called their [expletive] elves, and we just lost to some elves, so I’m pissed on my part. We missed opportunities; we didn’t capitalize on that [expletive], and we lost.”
Ja’Marr Chase: "I’m just frustrated because I called their a– elves and we just lost to some elves." (via @OliviaRayTV)
The #Bengals starters were benched in the 4th quarter of the 24-3 loss.
Chase had 39 yards, Burrow 82 yardspic.twitter.com/sHbJJ0cXuJhttps://t.co/O3yNPXpEbj
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 10, 2023
Despite this disappointing defeat, Cincinnati still has a chance to redeem themselves, as they are set to face the Browns once more in the final game of the season.
For now, Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals will have to regroup and prepare for their next challenges as they aim to bounce back from this early setback.