The apparent spit by Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase on Steelers safety Jalen Ramsey didn’t happen out of the blue. Trouble had been brewing between the two men throughout the day.

It all got started in the second quarter. As noted by James Rapien of BengalsTalk.com, Ramsey applied a huge hit to Chase after a throw to Chase had sailed past both players. The available angles suggest that Ramsey saw the ball hit Chase’s hand and keep going before hitting him anyway.

No flag was thrown, and they exchanged words after Chase — who had been flattened by the contact — got to his feet.

In the fourth quarter, the simmer went to a boil. On a second-down play with 14:04 to play, Chase blocked Ramsey. Ramsey threw Chase down. Chase took offense as he got up. Ramsey shoved him.

On the next play,

See Full Page