Coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens Ready For 'Big Challenge' Against San Francisco 49ers

The top teams in each conference will clash on Christmas when the Baltimore Ravens face the San Francisco 49ers.

Rarely do two teams who are clearly the best in their respective conference clash this late in the season, but that'll be the case when the Baltimore Ravens face the San Francisco 49ers on Christmas. 

Both teams have already clinched a playoff spot, with the 49ers (11-3) winning the NFC West for the second straight year with a 45-29 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Baltimore (11-3) sealed its spot in the playoffs with a 23-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, and they have the inside track to win the AFC North with a two-game lead over the Cleveland Browns (9-5). 

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged the challenge of facing a 49ers team who have won six straight games. Of San Francisco's 11 wins, 10 have been by double-digits.  

Josh Harbaugh / USA Today

"There's just nothing about how they're built that you couldn't respect, so we understand that," Harbaugh said. "What I'm looking to see is how we respond to that challenge because we're going to go into there [as] big underdogs, traveling all the way across the country [on] Christmas day. We'll be looking forward to it. It will be a big challenge for us."

San Francisco has played its best football of the season after its bye week, outscoring its last six opponents 207-94, including a 42-19 win on the road over the Philadelphia Eagles (10-4). Quarterback and MVP candidate Brock Purdy has thrown 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions in his last six games.

Harbaugh lauded 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan's ability to build around a talented roster that includes running back Christian McCaffery, receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Trent Williams. He also noted how Shanahan has improved a system he has learned from former head coaches, his father, Mike Shanahan, and Gary Kubiak. 

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"He really has expanded it and evolved it in a great way, and he does it around his players, too," Harbaugh said. "So, it's that part of it, but it's built around the players. I mean, you've got five, probably, All-Pro skill guys on that offense, and, not to mention, a really good offensive line and a Hall of Fame tackle. So, he's built it around those guys, and that's what makes it tough."

The Ravens and 49ers clash on Monday Night Football at 8:15 p.m. ET at Levi Stadium.