The Good and the Bad from 49ers Loss vs Ravens

Liam O'Connor

December 29, 2023

(Running Back Christian McCafferey barrels through Baltimore defenders)

After dominating several playoff teams in the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Seattle Seahawks, and Philadelphia Eagles on their way to a six-game win streak, the San Francisco 49ers hit a roadblock on Christmas night against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.

Despite taking an initial 5-0 lead with a safety on the second drive, the 49ers faced challenges as four Brock Purdy interceptions allowed the Ravens to score 13 unanswered points. Purdy started the game with a 3 play 70 yard drive that ended in a Kyle Hamilton interception which seemed to slow down the teams mood. This would be a play that really would affect the whole game. The 49ers looked ready to expose the Baltimore defense with many great play calls, but the interception swung the momentum to the visiting team,

In the second half, the Ravens extended their lead with another 17 unanswered points. With injuries to Brock Purdy and Trent Williams, the 49ers' comeback attempt fell short as they succumbed to the Ravens with a final score of 33-19.

Negative: Injuries

Many key 49ers players are on the injury report this week as shown in by the report: No DT Arik Armstead (foot, knee), G Aaron Banks (toe), S Ji'Ayir Brown (knee), WR Jauan Jennings (concussion), T Jaylon Moore (concussion) at the start of today’s practice. The 49errs play the worst defense in the league on Sunday in the Commanders, but still look to be fully healthy for a playoff run.

Positive: Playoff Momentum

Positive: Seeding

While the loss to the Ravens was challenging, the 49ers have already secured the NFC West crown and maintain control over their destiny for the NFC No. 1 seed. If they win their next two games they will secure the one seed and will have a first round bye plus home advantage for the entire playoffs. The last time they had a bye, they went to the super bowl.

To clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff race, the 49ers need victories against the Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Rams in their final two games of the season.

Negative: Brock Purdy's MVP Campaign

Before leaving the game with an injury, Brock Purdy struggled against the Ravens, resulting in one of the worst performances of his young career. Purdy threw a career-high four interceptions against the Ravens, with three occurring in the first half.

Purdy finished the game with 255 yards on 18 of 32 passing, with four interceptions and zero touchdown passes. This performance marked Purdy's first game without a touchdown pass since week two against the Los Angeles Rams. For my personal opinion, I find it ridiculous that Purdy's stock dropped down so bad after one performance, as the rest of his season has been nearly perfect. His passer rating over the winning streak was historical and he has the 2nd best stats in yards, best td-int ratio, and best qbr in the league. His performances have been historical and for a seventh round draft pick I find it crazy that he gets so much hate. People have been so quick to diminish him after a great season and in my mind he should be the leading MVP cannidate still. What he has done for this team is being highly undermined and I hope that he continues to sling the ball with confidence and hopefully prove all of his doubters wrong.

(Source is First Things First)

Positive: Christian McCaffrey

While Purdy's MVP chances dimmed, Christian McCaffrey's stock rose. The versatile runner fueled San Francisco's offense on Monday night, rushing for 103 yards on 14 carries and adding six catches for 28 yards through the air.

During the 49ers' most impressive drive of the evening, McCaffrey carried the ball five times for 65 yards on a six-play, 67-yard drive, capping it with a three-yard touchdown run.

Positive: Rush Defense

The Run defense was able to hold up pretty well against the running backs, but struggled against Lamar Jackson. If the 49ers see the Ravens in the Super Bowl, they will have to attack him with a different plan that hinders his ability to look downfield while running out of the pocket. However, the tackles held up on the inside with the return of pro bowler Javon Hargrave, this is a great sign after a bad game against Baltimore that saw nearly 250n yards rushing put on the defense.

The 49ers will face the Washington Commanders this Sunday and will look to bounce back against a struggling team on their way to securing the number one seed.

(Line Backer Dre Greenlaw tackles Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers)