There’s no love lost in an NFL rivalry game, especially when it comes to the battles in the AFC North. With the Cincinnati Bengals heading to Acrisure Stadium to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, many were expecting some offensive fireworks in a game with some top-notch wide receivers.
However, those would not be the fireworks that fans would end up seeing, as tempers flared in the fourth quarter between Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey, resulting in the latter’s ejection.
Jalen Ramsey Ejected After Throwing Punch at Ja’Marr Chase
After dominating most of the day, the Steelers’ defense cracked under pressure a bit in the fourth quarter. Holding a 20-9 lead after a pick-six, the Bengals had likely one more chance to score and make this a game. During the drive, Ramsey and Chase started to go back and forth on a few plays.
The two incredible NFL players got tangled up with each other as they exchanged heated words and grabbed each other’s facemasks. The interaction would result in offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties assessed to both of them.
Ja’Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey with some pushing and shoving pic.twitter.com/UDwrA6Ji2p
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 16, 2025
However, shortly after the offsetting penalties, Chase and Ramsey found themselves face-to-face again, talking back and forth to each other. However, Ramsey would give Chase two quick hits to the facemask in front of the referee, leading to his ejection.
Jalen Ramsey ejected for this #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/CUXjYVRPvB
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) November 16, 2025
While fans will have to wait until interviews after the game to find out exactly how everything played out, the fact that Chase was able to upset Ramsey so badly is somewhat interesting.
When asked about the on-field altercations, Ramsey claimed that Chase spit on him, eliciting his reaction, which led to his ejection.
Jalen Ramsey said Ja’Marr Chase spit on him. https://t.co/e2A5PU3e4a
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) November 16, 2025
Chase was also asked about his role in the incident after the game and was told about Ramsey’s accusation of him spitting on him, to which he replied, “I never opened my mouth to that guy…I didn’t spit on nobody.”
Many would think Ramsey would be the one with the last laugh, as Chase ended the game with three receptions for 30 yards in Week 11. This was a massive improvement from Pittsburgh’s Week 7 loss to the Bengals, where Chase hauled in 16 passes on 23 targets for 161 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers’ defensive performance this week is much better than their PFSN Defense Impact rating of 66.9 against the Bengals in Week 7.
It will be interesting to see how the NFL reacts to the incident, given that Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne was suspended for Week 11 after punching Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the facemask during Week 10. Will the fact that Chase and Ramsey went at it for a few consecutive plays help Ramsey’s case, or will he miss a game like Payne did?