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Ravens Aim to Stuff 49ers' Stockings with Coal This Christmas

With Brock Purdy, Lamar Jackson and Christian McCaffrey all being in the MVP conversation, it's likely that the MVP will be named from the team that wins on Christmas Day.

Ted Hazelrig

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It doesn't feel like hyperbole when I say that this game has the potential to be the biggest game of the 2023 season. This is widely viewed as a potential Super Bowl preview. Both teams are 11-3 and hold the No. 1 seed for their respective conferences. The 49ers have the best offense in the NFL. The Ravens defense is top two, if it's not the best. Something has to give:

If Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave were able to play, then I would say that the 49ers defense vs. the Ravens offense would be the clear difference in the game:

Armstead has been ruled out and Hargrave is questionable. Jauan Jennings is also ruled out. Armstead and Jennings are both very physical players that will be missed greatly.

One thing that favors the 49ers is that Ravens superstar tight end Marc Andrews is out for the season. Second year tight end Isaiah Likely has been playing very well in his place, but he's no Andrews. Odell Beckham Jr. poses a significant threat when healthy. He had a big game vs. his former team the Rams recently. Zay Flowers is great for a rookie receiver, but he's a rookie receiver. Also lost for the season was rookie running back Keaton Mitchell. The Ravens still have power back Gus Edwards and one-cut back Justice Hill, but neither has the pass catching ability and versatility that Mitchell brought to the Ravens backfield. They have activated Melvin Gordon III, but neither of the Ravens content creators I had on my show this week wanted to to see him get meaningful touches. This could be difference in the game.

With Brock Purdy, Lamar Jackson and Christian McCaffrey all being in the MVP conversation, it's likely that the MVP will be named from the team that wins on Christmas Day.

I've been saying McCaffrey should be MVP all season, but Purdy is definitely making a strong case for himself:

The Ravens will not stuff the 49ers' stockings with coal. I'm picking 49ers 28 - Ravens 27 in the biggest game of the 2023 season. A potential Super Bowl preview. The 49ers offense and Ravens defense are very closely matched. The 49ers banged up defense will have the edge vs the Ravens banged up offense.

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Ted Hazelrig
TED HAZELRIG

Ted Hazelrig grew up on the mid peninsula in the '70s and '80s and is a life-long, rabid 49ers fan from prior to Eddie DeBartlolo Jr., Joe Montana and Bill Walsh, all the way through to the present. He is a graduate of Santa Clara University, who enjoys golf, biking, hiking, tennis and water/snow skiing. He was a 49ers season ticket holder at Candlestick Park and still attends several games every season at Levi's Stadium.  His career has been as a tech recruiter, but he would like nothing more than to pivot into covering the 49ers on a full-time basis. He loves to read, watch and listen to all the brilliant 49ers content creators. To take his knowledge to the ultimate extreme, he has found that arguing with passionate and knowledgeable fans of both the 49ers and opposing teams really puts his knowledge over the top.  Right now, his most hated team is the Seattle Seahawks. For many years it was the Troy Aikman led Dallas Cowboys and for a while the Brett Favre led Packers. The Patrick Mahomes led Chiefs are his most-hated AFC team. Ted's second-favorite team is the Josh Allen led Buffalo Bills. While he may like other teams, Ted is passionate about the 49ers. He endeavors to always be honest, polite, not profane and never get personal. He got his break covering the 49ers for @49ersHive and also has written some articles for @49ersCap. You can find him at @TedH6 on twitter, or Ted Talks Ball on YouTube and other platforms. Ted is thrilled to join Grant Cohn and his extremely talented team at @All49ersFN.

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