CHRISTMAS DAY WEEK 16 GAME 3: BALTIMORE RAVENS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

BY ADAM GREENE

And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom. So, tonight thank God it’s them instead of you, because you get to see this potential Super Bowl preview on Christmas night as the Baltimore Ravens travel to NoCal to take on the San Francisco 49ers.

This is just the eighth official meeting between the two franchises with Baltimore holding a 5-2 advantage in the series. They also won the most important of those seven games, Super Bowl XLVII, 34-31. A game that was headed for a blowout until the literal lights went out in New Orleans, giving the Niners just enough life to lose by three instead of 20. They last met up on Dec. 1, 2019 with Baltimore holding on for a 20-17 victory.

Lamar Jackson was 14 of 23 passing for 105 yards, one touchdown and no picks in the win. He led the Ravens on the ground with 16 carries for 101 yards. Mark Ingram (currently out of the NFL) rushed 15 times for 59 yards. Mark Andrews (now out for the season with an injury) caught three passes for 50 yards and a TD.

In the loss, Jimmy Garoppolo (now with the Las Vegas Raiders) was 15 of 21 passing for 165 yards, one touchdown and no picks. Raheem Mostert (now with the Miami Dolphins) rushed 19 times for 146 yards and a TD. Emmanuel Sanders (currently out of the league) caught four passes for 41 yards.

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (-5.5, O/U: 47)

Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.

Broadcast: ABC/ESPN+

Kickoff: Dec. 25, 8:15 p.m.

BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-3)

The Ravens stacked up their fourth win in a row to take firm command of the top seed in the AFC with a dominating 23-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. Lamar Jackson was 14 of 24 passing for one touchdown and a pick in the win. He led Baltimore on the ground with 12 carries for 97 yards and was sacked three times. Keaton Mitchell rushed nine times for 73 yards and Gus Edwards toted the rock 16 times for 58 yards and a TD. Isaiah Likely caught five passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. The defense held the Jags to just 75 yards on the ground and sacked Trevor Lawrence once.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-3)

San Francisco won its sixth game in a row, downing the Arizona Cardinals 45-29 last Sunday. Brock Purdy continued his MVP campaign going 16 of 25 passing for 242 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in the win. Christian McCaffrey rushed 18 times for 115 yards and a score. He caught five passes for 72 yards and two TDs. Deebo Samuel hauled in four passes for 48 yards and two touchdowns and rushed once for 11 yards. The defense sacked Kyler Murray three times and picked him off twice.

THE PICK

This is a legit Super Bowl preview and no one would be shocked if these two teams met up again in Super Bowl LVIII. In fact, we’re all pretty much expecting it at this point. It’s also a battle of potential MVPs with Lamar Jackson facing off against Brock Purdy for the first time. This is a large line for a game between the consensus two best teams in the league and I don’t care for it. In fact, I think the Ravens sneak into Santa Clara and steal this one in what might be the last loss for the Niners in 2023-24. Ravens 27, 49ers 24

Last week

Straight up: 10-6

Against the spread: 8-8

Season

Straight up: 112-70

Against the spread: 100-82

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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