As we prepare for this hyped-up game against the 49ers, some SF stats reveal something interesting. I am not saying these numbers necessarily add up to a Ravens will win, but they are worth mentioning.
Before we dive in, we got some good news at practice on Thursday.
Ravens not practicing: WR Odell Beckham Jr., CB Jalyn-Armour Davis (concussion).
WR Zay Flowers (foot), CB Ronald Darby, RT Morgan Moses all returned to practice.
LT Ronnie Stanley (concussion) came out to practice with a non-contact jersey on, so he's still in protocol.— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) December 21, 2023
Not having OBJ out there stinks, but the rest returning is huge. I know some people will say that Ronnie Stanley not practicing is a negative, but he has been so bad that being on a heavy rotation is for the best. He is no longer the old Stanley; that performance on Sunday night said it all. He can’t handle speed to the edge, and Nick Bosa has plenty of that. Ronnie will need help.
While it will be an uphill battle with this offense going up against the Niners defense, the other side of the coin isn’t as lopsided as fans think.
Don’t believe it? Take a look at this:
OMG….look at the defenses the #49ers have faced this season. (yds/play allowed) #Ravens should provide a challenge
Steelers 21st
Rams 20th
Giants 26th
Cards 29th
Cowboys 9th
Browns 2nd
Vikings 10th
Bengals 31st
Jax 28th
TB 25th
Seattle 23rd
Eagles 22nd
Seattle 23rd
Cards 29th— #PurplePatrol (@TheNFLanalyst) December 21, 2023
This doesn’t mean the Niners are frauds; please don’t take it that way. All this is to say that maybe the Niners’ overwhelming efficiency has to do with them playing bad defenses. Some of their biggest wins in terms of margins have come from these games as well. Yes, they have weapons and some good players, but that system lives and dies by the YAC. The Ravens don’t allow a ton of YAC, so they’ll make the Niners work harder for those yards.
Perhaps they aren’t this unbeatable team, and resting players just because it will be a challenging game would be foolish. Who would have thought that? All of this is to say, don’t count out the Ravens. Yes, they have issues on the o-line with these tackles, but that can be overcome. The Ravens have just as good a chance to win on Christmas as does SF.
A big part of that will be Kyle Hamilton doing what he does, and another Kyle has taken notice:
#49ers HC Kyle Shanahan on #Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton:
“You watch the tape of that defense & he’s literally everywhere. He’s in year 2 & he’s already the best safety in the NFL. It’s going to be hard to gameplan around him. I’d say the Ravens hit the lottery with him”
— Lamar & Order: RPO (@moneymarlo44) December 21, 2023
One of the things the Niners love to do on offense is to get their players in space on screens. Do you know who eats screen plays for breakfast? Kyle Hamilton. Watch for the chess match between Shanahan and his weapons and Mike Macdonald and his most versatile piece.
Most importantly, happy holidays, Ravens Fans. Whether or not the Ravens win, it has been a good year for the team. Let’s try to enjoy the season and not stress over this game too much.
The 49ers are tough, but maybe they aren’t unbeatable. We’ll see.
3 Responses
On second thought, make that:
Kyle vs Kyle vs Kyle.
Kyle Hamilton vs Kyle Shanahan/Kyle Juszczyk
Hamilton in the Horizontal game is going to be where they game is won or lost! Ravens handled Etienne and Handled pretty much every similar Shanahan/McVay offense outside of rainy conditions of Rams game bc Hamilton dominates screens, RBs TEs, utility players like Deebo. And cutting off CMC and Deebo is where this game will be won or lost. Put Purdy in 2nd and 8-10s and 3rd and 8-10s, take away all the gadgetry that Shanahan protects him with and make it strictly drop back offense.. start sacking him& turning him over.
Just have to say we have a 50/50 chance to win the game. You know the old saying “That’s why they play the game”.
While the Mitchell and Mandrews have hurt, we have a deep team and a great coaching staff. I still believe the game will be won in the trenches. While our OTs are question marks on pass plays, the 9ers may be w/o 2 very good DLmen.
Personally I like us being the underdogs. Just like with all the bulletin material that’s been going around, it all adds up to additional motivation. You have to believe that we will be ready to ball out with all the dogs reading and hearing all week how great the 9ers are.
It’s a good thing the game is played on the field.