The 2025 season is not one that the Cincinnati Bengals will look back on with any real degree of fondness. The campaign has left a nasty taste in the mouth for all connected to the team and the upcoming matchup with the New England Patriots has another factor that could make things tough to swallow.

Star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who leads the NFL with 79 receptions this season, will miss Week 12 after being handed a one-match suspension — without pay — for an act of unsportsmanlike conduct during Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. During the fourth quarter, Chase spat at Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey — who was ejected from the game for his physical response — violating Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to ‘any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship’.

Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the 2024 Triple Crown winner may appeal the suspension. Any appeal will be heard and decided upon by either Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said after the game that he has often appreciated how the Chase has handled himself in situations when defenders try to incite him — and some of Ramsey’s attempts to corral the receiver on Sunday were borderline illegal — but admitted that he could not condone the spitting incident.

“We’re not all perfect. We’re going to make a mistake here and there, but I stand by Ja’Marr,” Taylor told reporters. “Trust me, I made plenty of mistakes yesterday, [but] people don’t see [them] on camera. Unfortunately, his was — [and] he’s going to have to own up for that.

“We are going to move past that, and he is a guy we are going to continue to depend on. I think Ja’Marr Chase will go down as one of my favourite all-time players and favourite all-time leaders. For a guy that has done everything we can to build our organisation around, he’s been awesome.”

Should the suspension be upheld, Chase will be eligible to return to the Bengals’ active roster on Monday, following the Patriots game. This should give him ample time to chew on his actions.