San Francisco 49ers (11-4) – Baltimore Ravens (12-3): 19-33
The Christmas clash between the leaders of each conference resulted in a one-sided meeting. The fault lies with a ruthless Ravens defense, which put Brock Purdy (18/32, 255 yards, 4 int) to torture from start to finish.
Lamar Jackson (23/35, 252 yards, 2 TDs – 7 races, 45 yards), on the contrary, led his team with composure. Without displaying huge statistics, the Baltimore quarterback comes out of this match with real arguments to steal the MVP title from all the San Francisco candidates.
Ravens defense on fire
The tone is set from the 49ers' first possession. While they are in the last yards, Purdy's pass to Deebo Samuel (4 rec, 47 yards) is intercepted by Kyle Hamilton in the end zone. The defenses also have the upper hand at the start of the match. Lamar Jackson commits a safety (2-0).
But the Ravens defenders don't let him go. After limiting the Niners to a field goal (5-0), Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton intercepted two other balls. Gus Edwards scored in the interval (5-13) and Baltimore is in front. Finally, it was Christian McCaffrey (14 races, 103 yards, 1 TD – 6 rec, 28 yards) who was the first to find the end zone for the Reds.
At halftime, the 49ers can be happy to only be down 16-12.
18 deadly seconds for the 49ers
The difference is made when you return from the locker room. Jackson finds Nelson Agholor for a touchdown (12-23). On the next action, Purdy is intercepted for the fourth time of the evening, this time by Patrick Queen. The Ravens recover the leather nine yards from the end zone. It only takes one pass for Jackson to find Zay Flowers (9 rec, 72 yards, 1 TD) for the KO touchdown (12-30).
Behind, Baltimore just has to manage. Especially since Brock Purdy pinches a nerve and leaves his place to Sam Darnold (8/14, 81 yards, 1 TD, 1 int). Either way, there's nothing more to do.
The Ravens consolidate their place at the top of the AFC conference with this victory. They will have the opportunity to take sole control if they beat the Dolphins next Sunday. San Francisco also keeps its destiny in hand: with two victories, Kyle Shanahan's men can still obtain first place in the NFC.
