The Bengals are heading into Buffalo for a critical Week 14 clash that could shake up the AFC playoff picture - and while the spotlight naturally falls on stars like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Josh Allen, there’s another name that deserves your attention: Chase Brown.
Quietly but consistently, Brown has been stacking up performances that put him in elite company. With another 100-yard game from scrimmage against the Bills, the Bengals running back could join Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Taylor as the only players in the past five seasons to notch 100+ scrimmage yards in seven straight games. That’s not just impressive - that’s rarefied air.
Chase Brown’s Breakout Streak
Brown’s streak began back in Week 7, and it’s been a model of consistency ever since. He went for 108 rushing yards (despite finishing with negative receiving yards) in that Thursday night game, and he hasn’t looked back. Week after week, he’s found ways to be productive - whether it’s pounding the ball between the tackles or slipping out for short passes in the flat.
Here’s how the numbers stack up:
- Week 7: 108 rushing yards, -8 receiving yards
- Week 8: 105 scrimmage yards
- Week 9: 112 scrimmage yards
- Week 11: 127 scrimmage yards
- Week 12: 130 scrimmage yards
- Week 13: 112 scrimmage yards
That’s six straight games with 100+ scrimmage yards - a franchise record - and now he’s one game away from matching Jonathan Taylor’s 2021 run and closing in on McCaffrey’s marks from 2023 and this season.
Why This Matters Now
Brown’s emergence couldn’t be more timely for Cincinnati. With Burrow back under center and the passing game humming again with Higgins and Chase healthy, defenses are being stretched thin. That’s opened up room for Brown to operate underneath and between the tackles - and he’s making the most of it.
What’s made him so effective during this stretch isn’t just volume, it’s versatility. He’s been a weapon both on the ground and through the air. Even in games where the Bengals have trailed, Brown has stayed involved, picking up yards on checkdowns, screens, and quick outs - the kind of plays that keep drives alive and chains moving.
A Tough Test - But a Real Opportunity
Now comes Buffalo, a team that’s had its share of struggles containing running backs this season. That sets the stage for Brown to potentially extend his streak to seven - a number that would tie him with Taylor and put him just behind McCaffrey’s eight-game run in 2023.
Of course, it won’t be easy. The Bills’ defense, while inconsistent, still has playmakers at every level. But if the Bengals’ offensive line can hold up and Brown continues to be used creatively, the opportunity is there.
More Than Just a Footnote
In a game loaded with stars - Burrow, Allen, Chase, Cook - it’s easy to overlook a second-year back like Brown. But if he hits the century mark again this week, he won’t just be a storyline - he’ll be part of NFL history.
So as the Bengals and Bills battle it out in what could be a postseason preview, keep an eye on No. 30 in stripes. Chase Brown is chasing more than just yardage - he’s chasing a spot alongside the best backs of this era.