The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns have a built-in rivalry. Not only do they share a home state, but they’re guaranteed to see each other twice each season as members of the AFC North.
That conflict’s been decidedly one sided in recent years, and not in favor of the franchise that made it to the AFC Championship Game each of the last two seasons. The Browns were 8-2 in their last 10 games against the Bengals coming into an opening day showdown in Cleveland. It was a record that clearly irked Cincinnati’s stars; Ja’Marr Chase let on as much during the week, calling them the “elfs” based on the giant painted Brownie the Elf the franchise stuck prominently at midfield last season.
So what did Chase have to say after the Browns thoroughly pasted his Bengals 24-3 to start their season 1-0? Well, he wasn’t happy — and he wasn’t about to stop insulting Cleveland’s football team.
“I’m just frustrated because I called their ass elves and we just lost to some elves.”
Ja’Marr Chase postgame on the offensive struggles in Cleveland. #Bengals | @WLWT | #Browns pic.twitter.com/skb8wayoWc
— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) September 10, 2023
“I’m just frustrated because I called their ass elves,” said Chase. “And we just lost to some elves.”
Chase’s initial comments didn’t go unnoticed in northeast Ohio. Myles Garrett took offense, saying “See now that was disrespectful. He didn’t have to go there. The elves was probably … he knew better. We might have to have a discussion before or after the game, maybe during if I see him.”
While it’s unclear if the two exchanged words Sunday afternoon, Garrett’s point stood. The All-Pro pass rusher had a sack, a tackle for loss and four quarterback hits as Joe Burrow struggled to one of his worst games as a pro. Chase had five catches on nine targets for only 39 yards as the Bengals completed just one pass that traveled more than seven yards downfield.
That’s some great defense, especially from a bunch of tiny, mythical creatures. The Bengals are now 2-9 in their last 11 games against the Browns. They haven’t won in Cleveland since 2017.
