Game Breakdown: 49ers Exposed by Baltimore 33-19
The Baltimore Ravens established themselves as Super Bowl favorites, dominating the game physically and strategically in a 33-19 win over the 49ers.
Brock Purdy threw three interceptions on the Niners' first four possessions, the San Francisco defense emptied their tank to save the game and keep it within four at halftime, but then had nothing left in the second half. The Niners defense gave up seven straight scores for the first time since 2005.
Purdy would end the night with four interceptions. The first was a late throw where he did not see Baltimore All-World safety Kyle Hamilton. The second was an unlucky deflection. The third was an unwise throw across his body. On the fourth, Purdy was hit as he threw a pass that went straight to Patrick Queen.
Better for Purdy to have a game like this before the playoffs. Kyle Shanahan has said how Purdy is eager to learn and rarely repeats mistakes. Ultimately, this game will help, even as it ends Purdy's MVP hopes.
The lessons need to begin with pump fakes, Purdy has had several deflected passes at the line in recent weeks.
The next lesson is for Shanahan, the Niners have made it to the top of the NFC with a low investment in the offensive line. However, against two of the AFC’s best defenses in Baltimore and Cleveland, Purdy has been pressured and picked five times in two games. In this one, Baltimore was effective in masking intent and leading Purdy into mistakes.
If the Niners are to recover and win a title, pass protection will need to improve significantly. This isn’t just a function of losing Trent Williams, the Niners had plenty of problems when he was in the game.
Another lesson, this time for Steve Wilks. The Niners secondary has no answer for Zay Flowers. If they are to meet Baltimore again in the Super Bowl, Darrell Luter Jr. and Sam Womack need to play more, their speed will be key if Flowers is to be contained.
Playing a physically superior team tends to expose what you lack, or have chosen not to invest in. In this case, where the Niners have invested least in the draft is straight in the crosshairs. The right side of the offensive line and cornerback.
Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald attacked the 49ers' primary weaknesses and Shanahan and Wilks had no answers.
GAME BALLS
George Kittle – In a game where few merited praise, Kittle played exceptionally well with seven catches for 126 yards. Baltimore thought they could deploy Kyle Hamilton elsewhere and Kittle made them pay for that choice by beating Marcus Williams consistently.
Christian McCaffrey – He gained 131 yards of total offense, running for more than 100 yards against the league’s top defense. McCaffrey's rushing touchdown was the first against the Baltimore defense in five games.
PENALTY FLAGS
The Coaching Staff – Across the board defeat as they were outmaneuvered by the Ravens all night. The game plans didn't emphasize team strengths. Abandoning the run too early was a mistake, however, once Trent Williams got hurt the running game didn’t have much of a chance.
Chase Young – His go-to move is to rush beyond the quarterback and then reach back for the sack. He got a sack on Jalen Hurts with that tactic earlier this year. Young tried to do that with Lamar Jackson, who promptly ran for 30 yards.
It would have been a seven-point mistake if not for almost no time left on the clock before halftime. Trying that move on Jackson has less of a chance than winning the Powerball lottery. Know who you are playing.
The Offensive Line – They're plucky but overmatched outside of Trent Williams. Colton McKivitz got worked at right tackle, switching him to left by necessity led to predictable results. Anyone thinking Spencer Burford can move outside got their answer as to why he plays inside.
If the quest for six doesn’t mean interceptions in a game but a ring then a first-round investment in the draft at right tackle is mandatory.
Ronnie Bell – Yes, he got his first career touchdown, but does anyone besides Shanahan trust him returning punts? The Niners get the safety, a great opportunity for a return, and Bell predictably fumbled the ball out of bounds. A new punt returner is also mandatory.
GAME LESSONS
Yikes.
Uh, root for Miami to beat Baltimore next week to get the No. 1 seed in the AFC?
Big matchup games tell the truth. Baltimore is easily the more physical team and the Niners have no answer for them at the offensive line, for Hamilton, or Flowers. Jackson ran only seven times, the Ravens can do so much more than this but never had to do so.
If these teams play again in the Super Bowl, it will certainly help to have Arik Armstead back. That said, the Niners need a strategic answer for Hamilton, faster DBs on the field against Flowers, more help in pass protection for the line, and expect that Purdy will have a better feel to read the defense in a rematch.
With this loss, the Niners likely need to win out now, which means no rest for the starters against the Rams in the final game.
The 49ers looked bad in this defeat, but they lost to the best team in the league. This matchup made clear that there's a big gap this year between the AFC and the NFC.
The Super Bowl is a little less than seven weeks away. Shanahan and his team have time to recover, but they will need to find answers along the way.
Until this game, San Francisco played their best against the best, now the best just handed the 49ers their lunch. There’s work to do.
