Chris Olave, the guy who just shredded the Detroit Lions defense for a career-high 10 catches and 182 yards in their season opener, is rolling into Baltimore this Sunday, and Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey knows exactly whose number he’ll be asked to shut down. This isn’t just another game for Humphrey, who, with 133 regular season appearances, is the most experienced player on that Ravens squad, making him a cornerstone in their locker room and a ten-year pro you can bet on.
The NFL’s Leading Receiver Puts Humphrey to the Test
Seriously, trying to put a cap on the NFL’s leading receiver is a monumental task, and Humphrey didn’t mince words about it when ESPN’s Jamison Hensley asked him, calling it “a really big challenge.” Olave isn’t just some guy, he’s “kind of the leader of that group” in New Orleans. Humphrey knows it isn’t just Olave they have to worry about with the Saints throwing the ball all over the place, and their tight ends blocking and running routes, but stopping Olave “is kind of where it starts.” You hold him to lower receptions and yards, and suddenly you’ve got a shot. He’s been “the force” for them, even having that wild 50-yard scramble drill play last week that ignited their offense to put up 400 passing yards. The respect is clear, and so is the urgency. Humphrey and the Ravens are “looking forward to it,” but that’s the kind of confidence you need when facing a player this hot.
New QB, New Stakes: This Isn’t the 2022 Matchup
They’ve crossed paths once before, back in the 2022 season. Back then, it was Andy Dalton slinging the ball for New Orleans. Olave had a respectable six receptions for 71 yards on nine targets, with his longest catch going for 16 yards. Pro Football Focus even charted three plays where Humphrey was covering Olave directly, resulting in two catches for 22 yards, both converting first downs, and Humphrey breaking up the third pass. You might think, “Okay, Humphrey’s seen him before, he knows what’s up.” But here’s the thing, the Saints aren’t running out Andy Dalton at quarterback anymore. They’ve made a significant upgrade with Tyler Shough under center now. That changes everything. It’s not just Humphrey being more experienced; it’s Olave having a different caliber of arm getting him the ball.
This Sunday, all eyes will be on Humphrey and whether he can cool down the league’s hottest receiver. Can he bottle up Olave and prove that past experience, combined with his veteran savvy, is enough for this “really big challenge” with a new quarterback in the mix? That’s the matchup to watch, and it’s going to tell us a lot about both players.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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