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In what has been called the potential game of the year, the 9-2 Baltimore Ravens will face off against the 10-1 San Francisco 49ers in a match up of two NFL juggernauts. The staff of Baltimore Beatdown gives their bold predictions for Sunday’s highly-anticipated game.
Spencer Schultz:
The Ravens rock and roll in front of the home crowd. The 49ers are the nail while the Ravens hammer 250 yards rushing. Running back Mark Ingram finds the end zone three times, propelling him towards the NFL lead in touchdowns.
The 49ers aren’t able to find their own rushing lanes consistently and are forced to press through the air, which results in three San Francisco turnovers, The Ravens march to a bloody blowout by the score of 27-13.
Dustin Cox
Baltimore’s defense flexes it’s muscles against the highly-efficient offense of San Francisco, holding them to under 250 total yards of offense. The second-ranked rushing attack of the 49ers is contained and held to under 50 yards on the ground.
Meanwhile, the Ravens play ugly ground-and-pound football in the rainy conditions at M&T Bank Stadium, rushing for over 200 yards. Quarterback Lamar Jackson accounts for 100 of the yards on the ground while also efficient in the passing game, completing over 80% of his passes with two touchdowns through the air.
Vasilis Lericos
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s opening script produces a touchdown catch for fullback Patrick Ricard. The 49ers defense buckles down following a long score from Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, but their offense is unable to keep up.
The pressure from the Ravens rattles quarterback Jimmy Garappolo into a pair of interceptions to inside linebacker Josh Bynes. De’Anthony Thomas takes a punt to the house for a touchdown before running back Gus Edwards pounds the 49ers into submission. BAL 27, SF 10.
Frank J. Platko
The Ravens stake their claim as the best team in the NFL, but it doesn’t come easy. After a back-and-forth, gritty battle, safety Earl Thomas picks off Garoppolo late in the fourth quarter. With the ball back in his hands, Jackson caps off another strong outing with a game-winning touchdown pass to tight end Mark Andrews. Baltimore’s offensive line buckles down against an elite defensive front, allowing zero sacks on the day.
Eric Misotti
The rainy forecast plays to the strength of the Ravens as the 49ers defense is unable to find their footing while Jackson goes for a career game o the ground, totaling over 200 rushing yards and setting a new rushing record for NFL quarterbacks.