We have talked about it the last two weeks, and for at least one week out of the year, the last few years - the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals do not lie to each other. So, why would we expect the opposite team to say anything good about one another?
You shouldn't expect them to. However, there is a difference between not giving another team compliments and respecting your opponent. The two coaches in this rivalry have respect for one another. The players, for the most part, don't.
We saw that with the Bengals' best receiver, Ja'Marr Chase, earlier this week when he was asked about the Chiefs' secondary. He said they weren't any good and that they didn't do anything special. And maybe some of that is right, but his intentions are to give the Chiefs the least amount of credit possible.
Then, they held Chase to four catches for 41 yards. Of course, Chase doubled down on everything he said after the game. That's the one Bengals player we have had the most issues with when it comes to talking trash about the Chiefs.
But, it would appear that Chase is finally keeping it real. When asked if it was extra frustrating, considering the Bengals season has ended twice in the same calendar year in Kansas City?
"Yeah. When you put it like that, yeah."
There he is. There's the guy Chiefs fans have been waiting to hear. It's okay to compliment your opponent, even in a rivalry, even though that wasn't really a compliment, but more so finally admitting something about the Chiefs.
But it's okay because I guarantee you we will hear the old Chase back when these two play one another again next season.
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