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The Ravens improved their winning streak with a dominating win over the 49ers

The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers both came into this game looking to continue their win streaks and give everyone a preview of a potential Super Bowl matchup. Both teams are number one in their respective conference, and each has a player in the MVP conversation.

The Ravens have emerged as Super Bowl contenders this season, and a major part of that is due to Lamar Jackson. He is having another stellar season, setting career highs in the passing statistical category not to mention this is the healthiest he has been since his 2019 MVP season.

For most of the season, the 49ers have been considered the best team in the NFL. Not only have they been winning, but they are doing so in dominating fashion. Most of their wins this season have been by double-digits. Both Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffery have been a part of the MVP conversation.

Game Recap

One of the mostintriguing stats in Lamar Jackson’s career is his record against the NFC Conference. Since becoming the Ravens’ starting quarterback in 2018, he is 19-1 against NFC opponents. His only loss was against the New York Giants last season.

The Ravens were major underdogs coming into the game despite being evenly matched with the 49ers. What most people thought to be a close battle between two great teams turned out to be a demolition job by the Ravens

Baltimore’s offense got off to a slow start, so the defense would pick up the slack. Their first big play of the game was on the 49ers’ opening drive where Brock Purdy was picked off by Kyle Hamilton in the endzone.

Despite the interception, the 49ers still scored first due to a controversial intentional grounding call on Lamar Jackson that resulted in a safety. The Ravens defense continued to do their job, and they forced the 49ers to settle for a field goal.

The offense eventually got on the board with a field goal, and from there the Ravens could not be stopped. The Ravens picked off Purdy two more times and capitalized on the turnovers by scoring 13 points.

The 49ers were finally able to convert in the red zone with a touchdown and cut the deficit to one. On 3rd and 16 with about 23 seconds left in the first half, Lamar Jackson ran for 31 yards to the 49ers’ 10-yard line. Baltimore kicked the field goal to increase the lead to four heading into halftime.

The second half is where the Ravens completely took off and never looked back. San Francisco got the ball to start the second half, but quickly went three and out. Baltimore took advantage and scored a touchdown on their opening drive in the second half.

Brock Purdy was then picked off for the fourth time and the Ravens once again capitalized on the turnover by scoring a touchdown to increase their lead to 21. This was the biggest deficit the 49ers had ever faced this season, and they did not have an answer.

The 49ers also had to deal with a few injuries, including Brock Purdy who went out midway through the fourth quarter and did not return. Sam Darnold went in for Purdy and was able to finally get them in the endzone for the first time since the second quarter. They scored a touchdown and cut the deficit to 14.

They had a chance to make it a one-score game, but Darnold was picked off by Marcus Williams and that was it. The Ravens beat the 49ers 33-19 to improve to 12-3 on the season.

Lamar Jackson finished with 23 completions out of 35 attempts for 252 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 45 yards on seven carries. This was an MVP-level performance against a really good team and he is now 20-1 against NFC opponents.

Kyle Hamilton finished with just three catches allowed, two interceptions, and one forced incompletion.

What’s Next

The Baltimore Ravens will head back home to take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. A win for the Ravens will officially clinch the one seed in the AFC for them and they will get the first-round bye.

The San Francisco 49ers still maintain control of the one seed in the NFC despite the loss. Their last two games are against the Washington Commanders and divisional opponent Los Angeles Rams. They will have to win out to clinch the one seed.

Photos Courtesy: Cary Edmondson – USA TODAY Sports

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