San Francisco 49ERS vs Baltimore Ravens: 5 Key Matchups Ahead of Pivotal Christmas Clash

Nearing the 2023 regular season end, the Ravens vs 49ers is the ultimate matchup that sets the tone for the playoffs. Both the conference leaders are the only teams with 11 wins in the season, and both have the best defensive and offensive units in the league, respectively. But what will influence the outcome of the Christmas Day clash most?

Other than a tactical match-up between the two masterminds, John Harbaugh and Kyle Shanahan, the game is also a direct clash between some of the best players in the league in their positions. Below are 5 such matchups ahead of the high-voltage clash that could decide the outcome of the game as well as the sides’ rest of the season.

49ers vs Ravens: The battle of behemoths to watch out for

Brock Purdy vs Ravens’ defensive centers

Arguably the most anticipated matchup from the game. Purdy is the Running MVP favorite with 3795 yards (2nd), 29 passing TDs (1st), a passer rating of 119.0 (1st), a pass completion rate of 69.8% (2nd), and 2 rushing TDs.

The Ravens have the league’s 2nd best total defense and 7th best passing defense. They also lead the league with 50 interceptions. If anyone could stop the relentless ‘Mr. Irrelevant’, it’s the Ravens.

Lamar Jackson vs 49ers’ linebackers

Jackson has 3105 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, a passer rating of 96.5, and a 66.3% pass completion rate. But he makes up for the passing deficit with rushing numbers. Jackson has 741 rushing yards with 5 rushing touchdowns, higher than some of the best pass-rushers in the league.

49ers’ Fred Warner is certainly someone who can match the dual-threat QB. With the ability to track down rushers, block quarterbacks, intercept passes, and rush himself, he’ll need to do all at once to fully immobilize Lamar Jackson.

Ravens’ offense vs team Nick Bosa-Chase Young

Nick Bosa won the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019. His high school junior and teammate Chase Young repeated the feat in 2020. Bosa is also the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. If these weren’t enough, the Commanders made the ‘mistake’ of trading Young to the 49ers earlier in the season, where he teamed up with former teammate Bosa. It doesn’t need an explanation to realize how killer that duo is.

The Ravens’ offensive tackles Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses will have a busy day at work if they come face-to-face with either of the two.

Christian McCaffrey vs Ravens’ linebackers

McCaffrey is by far the best pass-rusher in the league this season. The RB leads the league with 1292 yards and 13 touchdowns, and his unique blend of strength and speed makes him near-impossible to catch at motion.

Ravens’ MLB Roquan Smith on paper has every element to match up with McCaffrey, but once he gets the taste of the RB’s elusiveness, Smith will need to give more than his 100% to keep the rushing leading in check. He might have 142 tackles and six pass breakups in the season, but Smith hasn’t faced someone like McCaffrey yet.

George Kittle vs Ravens’ Defensive backs

49ers star TE George Kittle often gets shadowed by the big names in the team at nearly every position, but when he starts running with the ball, it becomes basically an effort to catch a shadow. Kittle has 55 catches for 865 yards and 6 rushing touchdowns in the season.

Ravens’ safety Kyle Hamilton has been having a record-breaking season for himself with 10 tackles for loss and 10 passes defended, becoming the first Ravens player to put double digits in both these areas. But he will be hoping that the records are the only things he breaks, and not his ankles trying to catch Kittle after a Purdy throw.

Read More: 49ERS Break 61-Year Lull; Join a Class of Legendary Teams to Feature the NFL’s Top Rusher & the No #1 Scoring Defense

The match starts at 8:15 PM ET, on Monday, December 25 at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco.

Watch This Story: Ravens vs 49ERS: Lamar Jackson Meets ‘Mr. Irrelevant’; NFL Tickets, Streaming, Start Time & Much More