The Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49ers in a classic Christmas Day matchup. Photo courtesy of Yahoo Sports
In what could be a potential Super Bowl LVIII matchup, the Baltimore Ravens came out on top.
The Ravens flexed their might in what ultimately ended up being a dominant win over the 49ers. San Francisco is the clear powerhouse in the NFC, but they succumbed to Lamar Jackson’s Ravens last night at home. Although the game was close early, Brock Purdy’s struggles allowed Baltimore to capitalize en route to a 33-19 victory on Christmas evening.
Close Early
The Ravens began the game with a three-and-out and committed a safety to put the 49ers up 2-0. It was the 49ers’ first safety in 88 games, but their lead did not last. The Ravens would kick off seven straight scoring drives, during which Purdy committed four interceptions. He would finish the game 18-of-32 with 255 yards, and no touchdowns. His passer rating was 42.6, the worst of any start of his young career.
“It’s the NFL,” said Purdy after the game. “We have some opportunities coming up, and we still got two games left in the regular season before we get into playoffs…I have to look myself in the mirror and ask myself why or how that happened and why I made those decisions? Our team came ready to play, and for me to make some decisions like that…it’s not fair to these guys. I have to realize that and understand that, and I have to get better for my team.”
“He’s played this long, he never had a game like this,” said 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. “It’s pretty unusual. That’s the reality of the NFL. I’m not saying it’s bound to happen but wish he didn’t have as many picks today.”
Late in the third quarter, Purdy threw his fourth interception of the game, which may have been the most costly. Ravens’ linebacker Patrick Queen took the ball all the way to the 49ers’ 9-yard line. By then, it was far too late as it took only one play to score a touchdown, putting the Ravens up 30-12.
A Tale of Two QBs
Meanwhile, Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson finished 23-of-35, with 252 yards and two touchdowns. Notably, he did not throw for any interceptions, and also ran for 45 yards on his own. Purdy would end up leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a potential shoulder issue, and former Jet Sam Darnold entered. San Francisco all but waved the white flag at that point, and now sit at 11-4. Meanwhile, the Ravens improved to a league-best 12-3.
“I thought Lamar had an MVP performance,” said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. “It takes a team to create a performance like that, but it takes a player to play at that level, to play at an MVP level, it takes a player to play that way. And Lamar was all over the field doing everything.”
With only two weeks left in the NFL season before the playoffs begin, the 49ers will take on the Commanders in Washington, and then the Rams at home. Meanwhile, the Ravens will face the Dolphins and Steelers, both in Baltimore.
