CINCINNATI — There’s an argument to be made that this is the best weekend of the NFL Season. Four hyper-competitive games with berths in Championship games on the line. The Divisional round of the NFL Playoffs has produced countless classic games throughout NFL history.
The Ravens-Bills game on Sunday could be the next classic. Two MVP-caliber quarterbacks laying it all on the line, and there are legacies at stake in this game. That’s what makes the NFL Playoffs so compelling and what gives them incredibly high ratings.
In addition to Ravens-Bills, the other three matchups are also compelling with plenty of storylines. The Chiefs now really begin their quest for a three-peat, but their star players haven’t played in 24 days. Since Christmas!
With that, let’s look at all four matchups this weekend in the Divisional round of the NFL Playoffs.
4. Houston Texans (11-7, AFC South Champions) @ 1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2, AFC West Champions) – 4:30 p.m. on ESPN/ABC (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, Laura Rutledge)
Westwood One: Kevin Harlan, Ross Tucker, Olivia Dekker
The last time was saw these two teams was just four weeks ago, when they met on a Saturday afternoon in Week 16 just four days before Christmas. The Chiefs won 27-19, but this game was a really tight contest. Houston was an extra point away from tying the game in the third quarter, but their afternoon took a horrific turn when wide receiver Tank Dell sustained a gruesome knee injury while catching the game-tying touchdown. Dell’s injury clearly affected the Texans for the rest of the game and their next game four days later on Christmas, when they were drubbed by the Baltimore Ravens 31-2.
But I saw something different from the Texans in their Wild Card win over the Chargers last weekend. I saw a team that played with a toughness and an edge that the Texans didn’t play with for essentially the entire regular season. C.J. Stroud looked DIALED. IN.. He was the best player on the field, and Stroud didn’t look fazed missing two of his top wide receivers in Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell. The whole mantra that the Playoffs are a new season clearly resonated with the Texans. Nobody expected them to beat the Chargers last week, and there certainly won’t be a lot of people expecting them to go into Kansas City and beat the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Saturday.
Speaking of the Chiefs, the fact that their stars have not played in a game since Christmas Day is a major storyline coming into this game. The pressure of going of a three-peat is about to ramp up 10 notches, and the Chiefs stars having 24 days of rest coming into this game could lead to them coming out rusty. That is the last thing the Chiefs need in this matchup, regardless of if they still prevail. Because against Baltimore or Buffalo in the AFC Championship, they likely won’t be able to overcome a slow start.
This Chiefs team is still great, despite their play at times in the regular season suggesting otherwise. They’re great because they know how to win. The Chiefs do what it takes to win. Situationally, there’s no team in the NFL better than the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes still had a great season, as did Travis Kelce and Chris Jones. Their numbers this year may not be what they were in 2022 or 2020, or even 2018, but they were still good.
All the pressure is on the Chiefs in this game. The Texans aren’t even supposed to be here, but they are and should prove that they actually do deserve to be playing for a berth in the AFC Championship. C.J. Stroud has quietly had a really good second season, even if he hasn’t taken that big leap into the class of great quarterbacks in the NFL. But Saturday is an opportunity to do just that, if Stroud leads the Texans into Kansas City and dethrones the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. He will be in the class of great quarterbacks if he leads the Texans to a win in this game.
Week 16: Chiefs 27 – Texans 19
This was a one-point game early in the third quarter, with the Texans poised to kick an extra point to tie the game 17-17. Tank Dell had just mad an incredible sliding catch in the back of the end zone for a touchdown, and the Texans were right back in the game. But Dell sustained a gruesome injury on the play, after being caught in a friendly fire with another Texans receiver also diving to make a play. The emotions were visibly evident on the faces of C.J. Stroud and the Texans, and Dell’s injury clearly affected them.
Speaking of injury, Patrick Mahomes was dealing with an ankle injury coming into this game. But concerns were quickly vanquished with Mahomes running in a 15-yard touchdown on the Chiefs first drive of the game. Mahomes passed for 260 yards and a touchdown on the afternoon, while adding 33 rushing yards with a touchdown.
After missing the first 14 games of the season, wide receiver Hollywood Brown made his Chiefs debut in this game and hauled in five catches for 45 yards.
This game was another example of the Chiefs being a great situational team. They may not have lit up the scoreboard offensively, but they did enough to win the game. In addition, Stroud’s two interceptions that afternoon led to 10 points for the Chiefs. If Stroud is going to take the next step into the class of great quarterbacks, he can’t make plays that cost the Texans 10 points.
Top 12 Players in Texans-Chiefs
1. Patrick Mahomes
2. Chris Jones
3. Travis Kelce
4. C.J. Stroud
5. Danielle Hunter
6. Laremy Tunsil
7. Nico Collins
8. Joe Mixon
9. Derek Stingley Jr.
10. Will Anderson IV
11. Nick Bolton
12. Trent McDuffie
Texans Offense vs. Chiefs Defense
Before Dell’s injury, the Texans were moving the ball pretty nicely against the Chiefs defense. Stroud and his receivers were in a good rhythm, with tight end Dalton Schultz catching a touchdown in the second quarter that gave the Texans 10-7 lead in the second quarter. Even without Diggs and Dell, the Texans still have a good group of weapons on offense. Don’t forget, too, that Mixon has faced the Chiefs twice in the Playoffs when he was with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Kansas City’s defense has, once again, been stout this season. The Chiefs allowed just 19.2 points per game this morning. One reason why they’re so great situationally, even though a lot of their games aren’t high-scoring, is because the defense does a great job of not getting the Chiefs behind big early in games. They keep the Chiefs in games and allow the offense to execute in late-game situations. With an ability to rush the passer up front led by Chris Jones, stuff the run with Nick Bolton at linebacker and a lockdown secondary led by All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, Steve Spagnoulo’s defense can make it difficult for any offense to sustain any success.
Stroud and the Texans offense are going to have to work methodically in this game. When the Chiefs have lost in the Playoffs, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots and Joe Burrow and the Bengals were able to methodically move the ball and take their shots when the opportunities presented themselves. That formula can work for the Texans on Saturday afternoon.
Chiefs Offense vs. Texans Defense
Despite being sacked 36 times this season, Mahomes was only sacked once in the Week 16 matchup. It was an impressive performance by the Chiefs offensive line facing one of the best edge rushing pairs in the NFL in Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson IV.
It’s crazy to see that even in what felt like a down year, Travis Kelce still had 97 catches this season. Now in the Playoffs, this is where Kelce takes over. Kelce has an NFL record 165 receptions in the Playoffs, and he’s also second with 1,903 yards and 19 touchdowns. In addition, Kelce has 13 straight playoff games with at least 70 receiving yards.
The Chiefs receivers do have a tough matchup on Saturday in facing the Texans secondary. Houston’s secondary is one of the more underrated units in the NFL, led by cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. Stingley had two interceptions and a forced fumble in the Texans Wild Card win over the Chargers. Kansas City’s receivers are faster than the Chargers receivers the Texans faced last week, so that will be a test for them. But if Hunter and Anderson are able to get to Mahomes, that is going to give the Texans a chance to make this a game in the fourth quarter.
This will game be decided… by two things. One, can the Texans pass rush get to Mahomes? If they can, that will give their secondary opportunities to make plays like they did last week against the Chargers. If they can’t, the Chiefs are going to be able to make plays down the field and run the football. Two, can Joe Mixon get going on the ground again? Mixon had 106 rushing yards and the game-icing touchdown last week, and he’s played in plenty of big playoff games in his career. If he gets going, that can neutralize Chris Jones and the Chiefs pass rush. If he can’t get going, though, that’s going to make it hard for the Texans to move the ball against a stout Chiefs defense.
Game Pick: Chiefs 26 – Texans 23 (Harrison Butker is good from 36 yards as time expires)
This was the same score I predicted for the Week 16 meeting between these two teams. I’m not putting it past Stroud and the Texans to go into Kansas City and keep this game close for 60 minutes, or even lead the Texans to what would be a shocking upset win. The Texans were within 17-16 early in the third quarter against the Chiefs in Week 16. Had Dell not gotten hurt, I think the Texans could have kept up with the Chiefs offensively. Even without Dell, and Stefon Diggs on Saturday, I believe with Stroud, Joe Mixon and Nico Collins on offense and their pass rush and secondary on defense that the Texans will take this game to the wire. But given the Chiefs situational greatness, I believe they pull this one out as time expires to advance to their seventh straight AFC Championship.
6. Washignton Commanders (13-5) @ 1. Detroit Lions (15-2, NFC North Champions) – 8:15 p.m. on FOX (Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi)
Westwood One: Kevin Kugler, Mike Mayock, Laura Okmin
A Saturday night playoff game in Detroit. Ford Field is going to be absolutely bonkers. The fact that the Lions have had a week off is going to have them coming out fresh… and ready to ROCK.
There’s no denying the Lions are the best team in the NFL. They are talented at every position. Not only that, this team knows how to win. They know how to execute in key situations. The Lions can win any kind of game, whether it’s 52-6 or 26-23 and Jared Goff throws five interceptions. Detroit is also getting healthy at the right time. David Montgomery is going to be playing on Saturday. That’s a scary realization for the entire NFL, let alone the Commanders. The Lions are also getting healthy on defense. This is a scary realization for the Commanders and the NFL.
Speaking of the Commanders, I continue to be more and more impressed with them every single week. Not only are they winning games, but they’re winning them in dramatic fashion. Washington has won five straight games in the final seconds of regulation or in overtime. Jayden Daniels plays quarterback with the poise of a 10-year veteran and the unfazed nature of former Villanova head coach Jay Wright simply just uttering “bang” after Kris Jenkins’s buzzer beater to win the 2016 National Championship.
Washington has no pressure on them going into this game. They’ve already exceeded expectations this season. The Lions, meanwhile, have a lot of pressure on them. For a franchise that still has not been to the Super Bowl, this is their absolute best chance to get there. The Lions Den will be roaring Saturday night, that much is for sure.
Top 12 Players in Commanders-Lions
1. Jahmyr Gibbs
2. Jared Goff
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown
4. Jayden Daniels
5. Terry McLaurin
6. David Montgomery
7. Penei Sewell
8. Sam LaPorta
9. Bobby Wagner
10. David Montgomery
11. Jameson Williams
12. Brian Branch
Commanders Offense vs. Lions Defense
What makes this matchup interesting is the fact that the Lions did not face the Commanders in the regular season. That creates an unfamiliar and unpredictable element in this game for Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. We saw Glenn’s incredible gameplan against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18, but this is going to be another challenge for Glenn and the Lions defense. Jayden Daniels is the Commanders offense. Everything they do revolves around him, which lets you know how much the Commanders believe in their rookie quarterback. Daniels gives the Commanders a punchers’ chance in every game, and he gives them one on Saturday. His dynamic playmaking has flustered defenses throughout the regular season. He’ll have to be special, though, against a veteran Lions defense on Saturday night for the Commanders to win this game.
This Lions defense is so fundamentally sound. Even with all their injuries, the Lions still allowed just 20.1 points per game in the regular season. They’re strong on all three levels, and getting Alex Anzalone back at linebacker is a crucial addition going into the Playoffs. If they can stop the Commanders running game, which Daniels plays a big role in generating, their secondary will have opportunities to make plays. The Lions defense has been incredibly built by Glenn and general manager Brad Holmes through the Draft. They very well could be the first team to truly disrupt Daniels’s and the Commanders rhythm on offense this season.
Lions Offense vs. Commanders Defense
The Linos offense scored 564 points this season, the fourth-highest total in the regular season in NFL history. In addition, the Lions became the fourth team to have three players with 12+ touchdowns this season.
Jared Goff has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and he’s the best quarterback in the NFC. Last year in the Playoffs, Goff has 270+ passing yards and a touchdown in each of the Lions three playoff games. Goff’s skill group is ridiculous. Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs each had 12+ rushing touchdowns this season, and Amon-Ra St. Brown quietly had 115 receptions and 12 touchdowns. But this Lions team also has a 1,000-yard receiver in Jameson Williams and one of the most reliable tight ends in Sam LaPorta. Combined with their rock solid offensive line up front, this Lions offense is one of the most formidable in the NFL.
The Commanders defense is a mixture of young and veterans. Veterans Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu and Dante Fowler Jr. have done an incredible job of helping young players like rookie cornerback Mike Sainristill and safety Jeremy Chinn. This Lions team, though, is going to be a big challenge for the Commanders defense. With so many ways that they can beat opposing defenses, the Commanders defense is going to be stressed for 60 minutes on Saturday night.
This Game will be decided by… the Commanders ability to get any pressure on Jared Goff and shut down the Lions dynamic running back duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. To me, that’s the only way the Commanders have a legitimate chance to win this game. It’s going to be up to guys like Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne to really step up and be special on Saturday night.
Game Pick: Lions 38 – Commanders 28
I think this is a matchup where the Lions are going to kick the Commanders teeth in. Jayden Daniels does give the Commanders a punchers’ chance, but this Lions team is a daunting challenge for what’s still a Commanders team not used to playing this late into the season. When the game is hanging in the balance, the Lions will pull away with it and advance to their second straight NFC Championship Game.
4. Los Angeles Rams (11-7, NFC West Champions) @ 2. Philadelphia Eagles (15-3, NFC East Champions) – 3 p.m. on NBC (Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark, Kaylee Hartung)
Westwood One: Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Ben Leber
This is the most physical matchup of the weekend. Both of these teams, even with their abilities to put a lot of points on the board, embody physicality. The Rams and Eagles are both looking to run the football and are looking to be stout up front… on both sides of the ball.
The Eagles won the regular-season meeting in Week 12, 37-20. Saquon Barkley rushed for 255 yards that night, and that was the first time I thought he could break the single-season rushing yards record. Barkley was the boldest free agent signing this past offseason. Why would a team pay that much money for a running back? Clearly the Eagles knew something we didn’t; that the running back position was going to be completely revived this season. Barkley has been at the epicenter of that revival, leading the NFL with over 2,000 rushing yards. Philadelphia has a formula on offense; hand the ball off to Saquon Barkley to open up downfield shots to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. But what makes this Eagles team formidable is their defense. Talk about revival, the Eagles defense is the definition of that this season. This defense is stacked on all three levels, and they make it hard for any offense to move the ball snd score points.
Speaking of which, the Rams offense woke up on Monday night of Super Wild Card Weekend. They needed that performance, after a subpar finish to the regular season. It was also a reminder that the Rams offense has some really good weapons. Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams and Matthew Stafford make this offense really good when it’s clicking.
Like Philadelphia, though, the Rams defense can be what takes this team from good to really good. The Rams defense is young, but there are some talented players making high-impact plays. With nine sacks in their Wild Card win against Sam Darnold and the Vikings, the Rams defense showed they can shut down high-octane offenses and win a game in the trenches.
That’s what this game is going to be on Sunday in Philadelphia; a rock fight. Both teams are going to come ready to hit and hit hard. A Sunday afternoon Divisional Playoff game in Philadelphia deserves this kind of physical matchup, and we should be in for exactly that.
Week 12: Eagles 37 – Rams 20
Saquon Barkley was the story in this game. In the second half alone, he had touchdown runs of 70 and 72 yards. The Eagles out rushed the Rams 314-92 in this game, showing a clear gap between the Rams and Eagles at the time.
But the Rams have won six of their last seven games since that night in Los Angeles. And their defense has been tremendous, allowing NINE or fewer points in each of their last four wins. The Eagles, though, are the measuring stick for just how far the Rams have come since Week 12.
Top 12 Players in Rams-Eagles
1. Saquon Barkley
2. Zach Baun
3. Jalen Hurts
4. A.J. Brown
5. Puka Nacua
5. Matthew Stafford
6. Lane Johnson
7. Kyren Williams
8. Cooper Kupp
9. DeVonta Smith
10. Nolan Smith
11. Braden Fiske
12. Jalen Carter
Rams Offense vs. Eagles Defense
Even with a big arm in Matthew Stafford, the Rams offense is potent when they are also able to run the football. They drafted Kyren Williams for a reason, and that was to complement Stafford and take some of the pressure off of him. Williams rushed for 4.8 yards per carry last week against Minnesota, which is what the Rams are going to need to win this game against the Eagles. That said, this offense’s identity is still with Stafford and the Rams receiving duo of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. How good is Nacua? He joined Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson as the only three wide receivers in the NFL to average 90 yards per game. Kupp? He plays his best in the Playoffs, 681 yards and seven touchdowns in eight playoff games.
But this Eagles defense is incredible. They are stacked on all three levels. Jalen Carter and Milton Williams provide the beef up front. Zach Baun and Nolan Smith provide the thunder at linebacker. And their secondary has a playmaker at every spot. The Eagles defense makes it very difficult for opponents to move the ball. They take away the explosive plays, and they make it hard to run the ball and open up any chance at explosive plays. Offenses must stay patient against the Eagles defense, and the Rams will have to do that by running the football and picking their spots for when to take shots down the field.
Eagles Offense vs. Rams Defense
Obviously Saquon Barkley stands out. But the Eagles also have their wide receiving duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Jalen Hurts is as dynamic of a quarterback and player as there is in the NFL, and the Eagles offense is great because of their offensive line.
Have the Rams learned what went wrong for them in Week 12 against the Eagles? Their last four games where the Rams have played their starters certainly suggests they’ve gotten better on that side of the ball. It’s amazing how good the Rams defense has been even as Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey and other key players have departed over recent years. That’s a credit to drafting, player development and coaching. Monday night showed to me, though, that the Rams can match Philadelphia in the trenches.
This game will be decided… by coaching. Sean McVay has been there before, and he’s one win away from taking the Rams to their third NFC Championship in eight seasons. Nick Sirianni has led the Eagles to 14 wins in two of the last three regular seasons, proving that he is a really good head coach. But he is still prone to clamping up in key moments. Both teams are built similarly; strong in the trenches and then playmakers at the offensive skill positions. That’s why, to me, it’s whoever coaches the best between McVay and Sirianni that decides this game.
Game Pick: Rams 23 – Eagles 20 (Joshua Karty is good from 38 yards as time expires)
This is my upset pick of the week. The Rams are playing for something bigger than just themselves. They’re playing for the city of Los Angeles. When a team is playing for their city that is going through something as horrific as the wildfires Los Angeles is battling, that team is very tough to beat. I believe the Rams match up with the Eagles and are a much different team than they were in Week 12. Joshua Karty will get the party started for the Rams with a 38-yard field goal as time expires.
3. Baltimore Ravens (13-5, AFC North Champions) @ 2. Buffalo Bills (14-4, AFC East Champions) – 6:30 p.m. on CBS (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson, Jay Feeley, Gene Steratore)
Westwood One: Ryan Radtke, Mike Golic, Derek Rackley
This has a game-of-the-decade feel to it. Obviously Bills-Chiefs from 2021 is the measuring stick for the 2020s, but this matchup has everything to fit the criteria if the game lives up to its anticipation.
Personally, I think Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen should both win MVP this season. This is such a tight race to call to only have one of them win it, and both of them have had outstanding seasons. What both of them can do on the field, athletically, is ridiculous.
Derrick Henry is the best running back of the 21st Century. He’s in rarified air, as he’s now the only running back in NFL history with two seasons of 1,900+ rushing yards and three seasons with both 1,500+ rushing yards and 15+ rushing touchdowns. Henry has rushed for at least 138 yards in each of the Ravens last four games, including 186 yards and two touchdowns against the Steelers in the Wild Card round.
Speaking of which, what the Ravens did to the Steelers last weekend was extremely impressive. To rush for 299 yards and accumulate 464 total yards against the Steelers defense in the Playoffs was unheard of prior to Saturday night.
But that shows how the Ravens offensive backfield is, dare I say, built different. For starters, both Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are Heisman Trophy winners. They are both unique for their respective positions, with Jackson’s electricity as a runner and thrower and Henry’s bulldozing frame barreling downfield over defenders.
Speaking of different, that’s what the Bills offense is this year. It’s different for the fact that they’re not heavily reliant on Josh Allen’s arm. The Bills can run the ball, and they can run it at a prolific clip. That’s allowed Josh Allen to play more free, loose and the best he’s ever play played in his career. Even after losing Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis this offseason, the Bills offense still scored 30+ points 12 times this season. In addition, their defense was still really solid despite losing three starters in their secondary.
This is Buffalo’s best chance to win the Super Bowl. To do it, Allen will have to lead the Bills through the reigning NFL MVP, and maybe this year’s MVP, and the reigning two-time-Super Bowl MVP the next two weeks, and that’s just to go to the Super Bowl. Allen is a big-time player. This is the time for him to cement his legacy as such.
Week 4: Ravens 35 – Bills 10
As soon as Derrick Henry took the Ravens first offensive play from scrimmage 87 yards for a touchdown, it was game on. Henry rushed for 199 yards that night, and the Ravens out-rushed the Bills 271-81. It was a clear statement by the Ravens, and a clear wake-up call for the Bills.
Top 12 Players in Ravens-Bills
1. Lamar Jackson
2. Josh Allen
3. Derrick Henry
4. James Cook
5. Roquan Smith
6. Kyle Hamilton
7. Nnamdi Madubuike
8. Dion Dawkins
9. Zay Flowers
10. Mark Andrews
11. Kyle Van Noy
12. Ty Johnson
Ravens Offense vs. Bills Defense
The Ravens offense is incredibly dynamic, and it’s a pick-your-poison. Contain Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson beats you with his arm. Contain Lamar Jackson and prevent him from making plays downfield and Derrick Henry wears you down on the ground. This Ravens offense is built on speed and power, and it’s incredibly difficult to stop.
Buffalo’s defense has been good this season. It’s been a team effort to make up for losing three starters in their secondary from last season’s team. Can they find a way to contain Derrick Henry and limit Lamar Jackson from taking over this game with his arm and legs? How they start this game defending the Ravens offense is going to be very telling of how successful they will be in the rematch from that Week 4 debacle on Sunday Night Football.
Bills Offense vs. Ravens Defense
Everyone knows what Derrick Henry has done this season. But Bills running back James Cook has been the best running back in the NFL that nobody talks about. Cook tied with Henry for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns in the regular season, and he has 120 rushing yards and a touchdown in the Bills Wild Card win over Denver last week. Make no mistake, this Bills offense runs through Josh Allen. But Cook’s breakout season has taken the pressure off Allen and made the Bills a more balanced offense that’s harder to defend. The Bills have scored 30+ points in eight of their nine home games this season, including 31 points in last week’s Wild Card win over Buffalo. In total, the Bills have 12 games with 30+ points this season.
This Ravens defense got a lot better as the season progressed. They’re stout on all three levels, and they will make it hard to run the ball on Sunday. But that’s where having a quarterback like Josh Allen is so valuable because he can be just as effective as a runner. His running abilities may be what neutralizes Ravens pass rushers Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh while also spreading out All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith.
This game will be decided… by the Bills ability to run the football. This is their best team since Josh Allen was drafted in 2018. Their offense is balanced and hard to defend and built for this game. This is the game to make that statement.
Game Pick: Bills 34 – Ravens 31
I believe the Bills will beat the Ravens at their own game; running the football and controlling the clock. This game is in Buffalo, and I think that is an advantage. I also think there is more pressure on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to win this game. This is the year they are supposed to go to the Super Bowl. That’s why they got Derrick Henry in the offseason and made all the other additions they did. If not this year for Jackson and the Ravens, then when? There’s pressure on Buffalo as well, but I think this team is built to handle it and handle the Ravens. Josh Allen will make another statement on Sunday for why he should be MVP this season, and the Bills will win an instant classic of a Divisional Playoff game.
Let me be Frank and Cut to the Chase 