Mika Zibanejad Flipping The Script From Last Season In A Big Way

There should be a lot of optimism regarding Mika Zibanejad’s play to start the 2025-26 campaign.

Last season, Zibanejad started the season slowly, and he later admitted that it impacted him mentally.

It has really been the exact opposite kind of start for Zibanejad through the New York Rangers’ first four games.

The 32-year-old forward has been aggressive offensively, generating an abundance of high-quality scoring chances.

Zibanejad is playing with a confidence that is translated into his play.

Forced to switch off from the wing to center after Vincent Trocheck suffered an upper-body injury, Zibanejad has displayed his versatility.

Mike Sullivan went out of his way on Sunday to praise Zibanejad.

“I think Mika has been terrific,” Sullivan said. “He's all over the ice, he drives offense, he defends hard. I think there's a level of physicality to him right now. That's something that we tried to challenge Mika before training camp even started, because he's capable there, both with the puck offensively and just challenging people hanging on the pucks, forcing them to have to defend him, and then defensively, getting into people and trying to create separation from the puck.

“I think he's driving offense, and I think he's defending hard. He's a very cerebral player. He has a high hockey IQ. He's always in the right spots. I think he's added another level of physicality to his game on both sides of the puck that makes him hard to play against.”

Zibanejad serves a role on the power play and the penalty kill, while he’s been centering a lethal line consisting of Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafrenière.

It’s clear that Zibanejad plays a crucial part in fully unlocking the Rangers’ offense, as Mike Sullivan has entrusted him with important responsibilities.

If the Rangers want to accomplish their goals, Zibanejad’s success will be critical, and his start to the season is encouraging.

“THE NFC STANDARD?!” — Ja’Marr Chase PRAISES Packers After Loss, Fans FURIOUS: “Is He Auditioning for Green Bay?!”

Following a disappointing 24-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 6, Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase left fans and analysts reeling with a postgame remark that has sparked fury—and rumors that he might be considering a move to Green Bay.

In a candid interview after the defeat at Lambeau Field, Chase offered high praise for the Packers, calling them the NFC’s elite: “The Packers are on another level—built for the Super Bowl. The way they control the game, the way that offense overwhelms you—it’s pure dominance. Losing to Green Bay isn’t something to dwell on. They’re not just contenders anymore… they’re the standard of the NFC.”

The comment spread like wildfire, igniting instant backlash among Bengals faithful. Many labeled Chase a “turncoat” for lauding the enemy after a lackluster performance (10 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD). Others speculated he might be hinting at a future exit, perhaps to join the team that outclassed Cincinnati. The hashtag #ChaseToPackers quickly trended in Ohio, racking up thousands of posts within hours.

Game Recap: Packers 24 – Bengals 18

1st Quarter:
Green Bay jumped to a 7-0 lead with a Jordan Love touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs. Cincinnati struggled, gaining just 40 yards on 3.1 yards per play.

2nd Quarter:
The Packers added a 30-yard field goal (10-0). The Bengals responded with a 31-yard field goal by Evan McPherson (10-3), aided by a “false start” penalty that gave them a fresh set.

3rd Quarter:
Love found Tucker Kraft for a 15-yard TD (17-3). Cincinnati countered with a Joe Flacco touchdown pass to Tanner Hudson (17-10), but the Packers’ defense held firm.

4th Quarter:

A Trey Hendrickson fumble recovery set up a 20-yard Love TD to Doubs (24-10). Flacco rallied with a 19-yard TD to Chase and a two-point conversion to Chase Brown (24-18), but time ran out.

Key Performances
Packers:

Jordan Love: 24/32, 260 yards, 3 TDs (Doubs 2, Kraft), 118.5 passer rating.
Romeo Doubs: 7 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TDs.

Defense: 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, allowed 112 rushing yards.

Bengals:

Joe Flacco: 29/45, 219 yards, 2 TDs (Hudson, Chase), 1 INT.
Ja'Marr Chase: 10 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD.

Defense: 2 sacks, 5 passes defended, but lost Hendrickson (back) and Gesicki (pectoral).

Officiating Controversies
The game saw 10 accepted penalties (Packers 4, Bengals 6), with two sparking debate:

False Start on Bengals (Q2): A tight call extended a Packers drive, deemed “harsh” by fans.
Missed Review on McPherson’s 67-Yard Kick (Q2): Ruled invalid due to formation, fueling #RefsVsBengals with over 8,000 mentions.

Postgame, Chase acknowledged the Packers’ edge but his timing—after a lackluster outing—struck fans as disloyal. “You don’t call your rivals ‘the standard’ after they beat you,” one fan tweeted. “That’s not pride—it’s betrayal.”

As speculation mounts, the key question looms: Is Ja'Marr Chase merely respectful… or subtly eyeing a Green Bay future?

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