Ravens Aim to Stuff 49ers' Stockings with Coal This Christmas
It doesn't feel like hyperbole when I say that this game has the potential to be the biggest game of the 2023 season. This is widely viewed as a potential Super Bowl preview. Both teams are 11-3 and hold the No. 1 seed for their respective conferences. The 49ers have the best offense in the NFL. The Ravens defense is top two, if it's not the best. Something has to give:
If Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave were able to play, then I would say that the 49ers defense vs. the Ravens offense would be the clear difference in the game:
Armstead has been ruled out and Hargrave is questionable. Jauan Jennings is also ruled out. Armstead and Jennings are both very physical players that will be missed greatly.
One thing that favors the 49ers is that Ravens superstar tight end Marc Andrews is out for the season. Second year tight end Isaiah Likely has been playing very well in his place, but he's no Andrews. Odell Beckham Jr. poses a significant threat when healthy. He had a big game vs. his former team the Rams recently. Zay Flowers is great for a rookie receiver, but he's a rookie receiver. Also lost for the season was rookie running back Keaton Mitchell. The Ravens still have power back Gus Edwards and one-cut back Justice Hill, but neither has the pass catching ability and versatility that Mitchell brought to the Ravens backfield. They have activated Melvin Gordon III, but neither of the Ravens content creators I had on my show this week wanted to to see him get meaningful touches. This could be difference in the game.
With Brock Purdy, Lamar Jackson and Christian McCaffrey all being in the MVP conversation, it's likely that the MVP will be named from the team that wins on Christmas Day.
I've been saying McCaffrey should be MVP all season, but Purdy is definitely making a strong case for himself:
The Ravens will not stuff the 49ers' stockings with coal. I'm picking 49ers 28 - Ravens 27 in the biggest game of the 2023 season. A potential Super Bowl preview. The 49ers offense and Ravens defense are very closely matched. The 49ers banged up defense will have the edge vs the Ravens banged up offense.
