Ravens beat 49ers, 33-19, as Lamar Jackson strengthens case for MVP and defense gets 5 interceptions
12 months ago
49ers #49ers
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — ‘Tis the season of giving, or at least it was Monday night at Levi’s Stadium.
In a battle between NFL Most Valuable Player candidates on Christmas night, the Ravens’ defense harassed 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy into four interceptions, while Lamar Jackson continually escaped San Francisco’s pass rush, threw two touchdown passes and led Baltimore to a 33-19 victory.
The win keeps the Ravens (12-3) atop the AFC and gives them the best record in the NFL. It was also a statement with purpose.
If the Ravens can beat the Miami Dolphins next week at M&T Bank Stadium, they will lock up the top seed in the conference, get the first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
But first, the Ravens will savor this one.
In a game billed as a battle between MVP favorites Purdy and Jackson, it was also a showdown of the NFL’s two stingiest defenses, and Baltimore’s broke San Francisco (11-4) physically and with the dynamic playmaking of its quarterback.
After the 49ers, who were riding a six-game winning streak, took a 5-0 first-quarter lead on a safety in which Jackson was called for intentional grounding in the end zone after tripping over a fallen official, the Ravens responded with 13 straight points that were aided by interceptions first from safety Kyle Hamilton then cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Then Hamilton picked off Purdy again.
That helped set up two field goals by Justin Tucker from 28 and 41 yards along with a 1-yard score by running back Gus Edwards.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, catches a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Nelson Agholor #15 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after catching a touchdown during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens stiff arms Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker (9) celebrates after kicking a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers dives past Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens while scoring a rushing touchdown during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) runs against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers attempts to tackle Zay Flowers #4 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) scores against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards, right, celebrates after scoring against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, celebrates with wide receiver Nelson Agholor after connecting on a 6-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter Monday night against the 49ers in Santa Clara, California. (Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP)
Justin Tucker #9 of the Baltimore Ravens kicks a field goal during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) is tackled against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Justin Madubuike #92 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers attempts to block Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens as Humphrey tackles Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, right, is tackled by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, right, runs against Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, middle, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
An official falls down as Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens is pressured by Fred Warner #54 and Chase Young #92 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens intercepts a pass intended for Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens as Hamilton returns an interception during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after his interception during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, throws to ball while trying to avoid San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. Jackson was called for intentional grounding in the end zone on the play, which scored a safety for the 49ers. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Baltimore Ravens’ Tylan Wallace, foreground left, returns a kickoff against San Francisco 49ers’ Darrell Luter Jr. during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, celebrates with tight end Isaiah Likely after scoring against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, middle, is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, left, and linebacker Roquan Smith (0) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Patrick Queen #6 of the Baltimore Ravens hits George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers after Queen’s interception during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after his interception during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) avoids the grasp of San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) as offensive tackle Morgan Moses (78) blocks during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) walks off the field with trainers during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is tackled against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Baltimore Ravens safety Marcus Williams, top, tackles San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ronnie Bell (10) runs against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
The 49ers outgained the Ravens 144-42 in the opening quarter, but only managed a 5-3 lead and paid for it.
San Francisco answered with a touchdown of its own from its other MVP candidate, running back Christian McCaffrey, from 9 yards out with 3:29 remaining in the first half to cut the deficit to one, but that was as close as the 49ers would get the rest of the night.
Jackson simply happened, as he so often does.
With the Ravens facing third-and-16 from the 49ers’ 41 with 24 seconds remaining in the half and no one open as Jackson scanned the field and Chase Young closed in from behind, the quarterback slipped away from the defender. That’s when the circus act took hold with the quarterback weaving and slicing his way through the 49ers’ defense for a 30-yard gain. The play led to a third field goal by Tucker, this time from 28 yards, to close out the half, giving Baltimore a 16-12 lead.
In the second half, the Ravens’ defense picked up where it left off in the first, holding the 49ers to a three-and-out before a 23-yard punt return by Tylan Wallace that was padded by a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on a hit out of bounds by punter Mitch Wishnowsky.
One play later, Jackson scrambled away from pressure and after a few seconds found a wide-open Edwards on a short pass in the middle of the field. The back rumbled for 39 yards, and two plays later Jackson again escaped the rush, scrambled left and on the run hit Nelson Agholor for a 6-yard score on the sideline.
It didn’t take nearly as long for Baltimore to then ostensibly put the game out of reach.
On the 49ers’ next possession and with the ball on their own 25, Purdy lofted a short pass intended for McCaffrey that landed in the hands of linebacker Patrick Queen, who returned it 21 yards to the 9. Jackson then found an open Zay Flowers in the back of the end zone, extending the lead to 30-12.
Baltimore then broke San Francisco’s will, if it hadn’t been already, driving 89 yards in 11 plays, highlighted by a 34-yard completion to tight end Isaiah Likely down the left sideline followed by a short dropoff to Justice Hill that went for 23 more. That helped set up a 24-yard field goal by Tucker late in the third.
With Purdy out of the game with a stinger (ESPN’s broadcast said he was cleared to return but he did not), backup Sam Darnold hit wide receiver Ronnie Bell on a 12-yard touchdown pass with 6:23 left in the game, but they wouldn’t score again the rest of the night.
Jackson finished 23 of 35 passing for 252 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 45 yards on seven carries. Perhaps most important, he also didn’t turn the ball over.
The Ravens quarterback is the betting favorite to win his second MVP Award after being the unanimous choice in 2019.
