Christmas Day 2023 has an impressive slate of NFL games scheduled, but none more hyped than the primetime battle when the two teams with the league’s best records (11-3) square off on Monday Night Football.
Entering the Week 16 games, the Ravens own the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed, holding a one-game lead over the Miami Dolphins (10-4), while San Francisco currently stands No. 1 in the NFC playoff race.
Baltimore holds a two-game lead over the 9-5 Cleveland Browns in the AFC North.
Following Monday’s matchup at San Francisco, the Ravens will host Miami on New Year’s Eve and close out the regular season at home against Pittsburgh.
1
Gus Edwards vs. 49ers run defense
San Francisco gave up 234 yards on the ground to the Cardinals in Week 15 after holding 10 of their previous 13 opponents this season to under 100 rushing yards per game.
In the 49ers defense, they played that matchup without two of its starting interior defensive linemen in Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave and also had Kalia Davis exit the game early via injury.
San Francisco’s run defense will be a key point of emphasis as Steve Wilk’s group starts preparation for the Baltimore Ravens and their high-powered rushing attack on Christmas Day.
Gus Edwards’ 11 rushing touchdowns are ranked as the fourth most in Ravens single-season history.
Edwards is just 3 rushing TDs shy of tying Jamal Lewis’ record (14 in 2003), and with Keaton Mitchell out, he’ll carry the load.
2
Lamar Jackson vs. 49ers LB Fred Warner
Warner is among the best inside linebackers in the NFL, and he’ll look to outshine his counterpart from Baltimore, Roquan Smith.
Warner can rush the passer, spy the quarterback, defend the pass, while tracking down ball-carriers from sideline to sideline.
He’ll likely meet his match on Monday night against Ravens dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Jackson has 741 rushing yards this season, including five TDs on the ground.
The MVP candidate is a key element of Baltimore’s top-ranked rushing attack, with 372 of his yards coming on on designed QB runs that are averaging 5.8 yards per attempt.
3
Ravens LB Roquan Smith vs. 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey
49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is an MVP candidate with 1,292 yards rushing (5.3) and in the Week 15 win over the Cardinals, he led the way with 187 yards from scrimmage, two touchdown catches and a one-yard rushing touchdown.
Ravens middle linebacker Smith has the range and speed to contain San Francisco’s star dual-threat.
Smith has 142 tackles (fourth) and six pass breakups.
4
WR Zay Flowers vs. 49ers CB Charvarius Ward
In the win over Arizona, Ward led the way with three tackles and two interceptions, one of which he returned 66 yards for a touchdown.
Ravens rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers has 680 yards on 65 catches, and this matchup will be key in Baltimore establishing their downfield passing game.
5
Ravens DC vs. 49ers QB Brock Purdy
Purdy has completed 268 of his 384 passing atts. (69.8%) for 3,795 yds., 29 TDs, and a passer rating of 119.0, along with 37 rushes for 138 yds. and 2 TDs in 2023.
Purdy’s 119.0 passer rating ranks 1st in the NFL.
Baltimore is second in the NFL in total defense and 7th in passing defense while leading the NFL with 50 sacks. If the Ravens can make Purdy uncomfortable, there’s a recipe for disrupting the Niner’s explosive offense.
6
Ravens offensive tackles vs. Nick Bosa-Chase Young
Nick Bosa leads the 49ers with 10.5 sacks, while Chase Young has 2 sacks on the season, but has thrived in one on one battles with the opposing teams left tackle.
Baltimore has developed an offensive tackle rotation to keep Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses fresh, but the Ravens
7
Kyle Hamilton vs. 49ers TE George Kittle
Hamilton can do it all posting With double-digits in both tackles for loss (10) and passes defended (10), becoming the the first Raven ever to achieve those marks in a single season and the first NFL DB to do so since Tyrann Mathieu in 2015.
He’ll play a major role in defending Niners tight end George Kittle, who has logged 55 catches for 865 yards (15.7 avg.) and 6 TDs in 2023.
8
Ravens Justin Madubuike vs. 49ers Jake Brendel
In his last outing, Madubuike posted 4 QB hits and 1 strip-sack, tying an NFL record with his
11th-consecutive game registering at least a half-sack.
Madubuike’s 12 sacks lead all interior rushers this season.
For San Francisco, Brendel has a 59.2 grade per PFF, and he’s among the worst in the NFL at pass blocking.
9
Patrick Queen vs. Everybody
Queen can do it all, including rushing the passer, or dropping into coverage to spy a running back.
The free agent to be has 3.5 sacks and 11 pressures on blitzes, both top-15 numbers in the NFL. His 17.6% pressure rate in 2023 is a career high, as well, and Ravens DC Mike MacDonald must unleash the former LSU star.
10
RB Justice Hill vs. 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw
Fred Warner ranks second in the NFL with 22 missed tackles; Dre Greenlaw is tied for 17th with 15.
If Todd Monken can scheme the shifty Justice Hill into one on one matchups with Greenlaw, Baltimore could be in business from a YAC perspective.
