Regular-season matchups don’t get much bigger than this. A potential Super Bowl preview pits the AFC-best Baltimore Ravens against the NFC-best San Francisco 49ers. Both teams sit atop their conference standings and will look to maintain control of their paths to a No. 1 seed and first-round bye in the playoffs.
The Christmas night capper has high stakes for the MVP race as well with not two, but three legitimate MVP candidates. Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey are busy making each other’s public MVP case. Lamar Jackson, meanwhile, is looking to zero in on a second career MVP trophy. Monday’s result will go a long way in determining who wins the hardware
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Early results: Raiders defense leads upset of Chiefs | Eagles hang on vs. Giants
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Two drops by Zay Flowers and the Ravens will settle for a field goal off the INT. They go up 13-5 with 7:03 left in the first half.
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This is the first 3-INT game of Purdy’s NFL career. We are midway through the second quarter.
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Kyle Hamilton records Ravens’ 3rd INT of the game.
The only other time Baltimore had 3 interceptions in a game this season was Oct. 1 at Cleveland, when the Ravens played rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson (and not an NFL MVP favorite in Brock Purdy).
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 26, 2023
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ANOTHER INTERCEPTION
Brock Purdy gets rushed out of the pocket and gets a pass tipped and caught by Kyle Hamilton for the safety’s second pick of the night. That’s three for Purdy, and his MVP case might be taking some hits tonight. The insult to injury is a chop block will give the Ravens another 15 yards, so they’ll take over at SF’s 20.
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There aren’t many coaches who would go for it on 4th down against an elite team then just run it up the middle. John Harbaugh, however, is one of those coaches. Also, watch No. 80 Isaiah Likely in the backfield on this play.
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TOUCHDOWN
Ravens reach the end zone first with a run up the middle from Gus Edwards. They go up 10-5 in a game that has been as eventful as hoped.
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Ravens get stopped at the 2 on 3rd-and-goal. They appear to be going for it.
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The Ravens are feeding Zay Flowers, who has been showing off his quick feet. He’s got 5 catches for 34 of their 75 yards in this game.
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Brock Purdy with the third two-INT game of his 20-start career. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 26, 2023
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INTERCEPTION
Brock Purdy throws his second of the night on a pass blocked by Brandon Stephens and caught by Marlon Humphrey. Ravens ball at their own 48.
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Ravens are having trouble defending the middle of the field again, and 49ers TE George Kittle is taking advantage of that.
Kittle had 91 yards receiving in the first quarter, his most in ANY quarter since 2018, per @ESPNStatsInfo.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 26, 2023
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George Kittle already has 91 receiving yards. The Ravens have one of the best collections of linebackers and safeties in the NFL, but he has been getting wide open.
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Ravens take 37 yards of penalties from Tashaun Gipson and turn it into a 28-yard Justin Tucker field goal to cut the deficit to 5-3. Again, a normal football score.
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Niners get called for a pass interference on third down. Some fans, who just watched a ref trip the opposing quarterback in the end zone for a safety, are booing the clear penalty.
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An absolutely bizarre play. Two WRs ran downfield, leaving their corners to hammer Flowers.
Ravens throw an RPO screen and nobody decides to block out wide. OK.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) December 26, 2023
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Patrick Mekari in at LT to start the Ravens’ third drive.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) December 26, 2023
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That was Jake Moody’s first field goal at Levi’s Stadium since Nov. 19 vs. Tampa Bay
Rookie is 19/22 on FG, 53/53 on PAT— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 26, 2023
Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
