SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Baltimore Ravens, led by Lamar Jackson’s dynamic performance, secured a decisive 33-19 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in a rare late-season clash between the NFL’s top teams. This triumph further solidified the Ravens’ position as a formidable contender in the league.
In a game that was anticipated to be a close contest, the Ravens (12-3) showcased their prowess on both offense and defense, turning the matchup into a one-sided affair. The defense, particularly Kyle Hamilton, played a crucial role, intercepting 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy four times. Three of these interceptions occurred in the initial drives, setting a daunting tone for the 49ers (11-4).
Jackson, the star of the evening, orchestrated two touchdown passes within 18 seconds in the third quarter, elevating his MVP candidacy. His agility was on full display as he scrambled 30 yards to set up a field goal, giving the Ravens a 16-12 lead by halftime. In the third quarter, Jackson found Nelson Agholor for a 6-yard touchdown, followed swiftly by capitalizing on Patrick Queen’s interception with a 9-yard TD pass to Zay Flowers, bringing the score to 30-12.
Ravens’ coach John Harbaugh praised Jackson’s “MVP performance,” highlighting his 252 passing yards and 45 rushing yards. Despite a safety caused by an intentional grounding call, Jackson’s focus remained on the team’s victory.
Purdy, in stark contrast, faced his toughest game yet. His four interceptions marked the first time a 49ers quarterback had thrown so many since Colin Kaepernick in 2015. Purdy, who was replaced by Sam Darnold in the fourth quarter following a stinger, ended with 18 completions on 32 attempts for 255 yards.
Despite the setback, 49ers’ coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged Purdy’s unwavering demeanor. However, it wasn’t just Purdy; the entire team struggled in the second half. Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers’ MVP candidate, was a bright spot, rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown, continuing his streak of impressive performances.
This matchup marked only the second time that teams with the best records in each conference faced off in Week 16 or later. Despite the loss, the 49ers remain tied for the best record in the NFC and can still secure the No. 1 seed with victories in their final two games.
The Ravens, maintaining a game’s lead over Miami for the AFC’s top record, have shown dominance against playoff-contending teams, outscoring them significantly. They remain committed to a physical brand of football, as emphasized by linebacker Patrick Queen.
Injuries did mar the game, with both teams losing key players. For the Ravens, Hamilton, Kevin Zeitler, and Patrick Mekari were sidelined, though none of the injuries are considered serious. The 49ers saw Trent Williams, Jaylon Moore, and Aaron Banks exit with injuries.
Looking ahead, the Ravens are set to host Miami, while the 49ers face Washington on the road, as both teams aim to solidify their playoff positions.
