Ravens vs. 49ers Could Be a Display of Defense on Monday Night Football

The Week 16 "Monday Night Football" matchup between the Ravens and 49ers could be a defensive struggle.

The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers have both already clinched playoff spots in their respective conferences. They've both flexed their muscles on offense and defense to the rest of the league. They're considered to be the best teams in their divisions and conferences.

So what will we see Monday night?

Ravens vs. 49ers / USA Today

We'll be treated to what could be a Super Bowl preview. According to ESPN analytics, Baltimore and San Francisco are the two favorites to play in Las Vegas. The 49ers have a projected 60.2 percent chance while the Ravens have a 37.9 percent chance.

And what we might see on display is a matchup between two powerhouse defenses rather than a high-scoring shootout.

Only the Cleveland Browns give up fewer yards per game than the Ravens, and Baltimore has allowed fewer points than San Francisco. What does it mean? It means that the Ravens' defense is stingy. And smothering. And unlike any defense the 49ers have seen this season.

The Ravens will need every bit of that defense against San Francisco, who boasts the third-highest scoring total in the NFL. Brock Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk, and Christian McCaffrey are all top-10 at their positions in terms of yardage. And they'll be up against linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who are among the league leaders in sacks and tackles.

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Both teams are 11-3 and Baltimore came out on top last time they met in 2019. That was a 20-17 win for the Ravens in a game Jackson threw for just 105 yards but rushed for 101.

If Monday night is indeed a Super Bowl preview, we'll finally have a good idea of which conference boasts the best team in the NFL.