There are hardly any bigger games in the regular season. In a possible Super Bowl preview, the AFC-best Baltimore Ravens face the NFC-best San Francisco 49ers. Both teams are at the top of their conference standings and will look to maintain control of their path to the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
The Christmas Night cover also has a lot at stake in the MVP race, as there are not just two, but three legitimate MVP candidates. Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey are busy making each other's MVP cases publicly. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson is looking for a second MVP trophy in his career. Monday's result will go a long way in determining who wins the hardware
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First results: The Raiders' defense leads to the upset of the Chiefs | The Eagles hold out against the Giants
Live103 updates
- Monday, December 25, 2023 at 6:03 p.m. GMT
- Tuesday, December 26, 2023, 02:23 GMT
Yards per game: #49ers 7.8, Ravens 3.3
Points: Ravens 13, 49ers 5
Turnovers: 49ers 3, Ravens 0— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) December 26, 2023
- Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 02:20 GMT
Two drops from Zay Flowers and the Ravens will settle for a field goal outside of the INT. They take a 13-5 lead with 7:03 minutes left in the first half.
- Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 02:18 GMT
This is the first 3-INT game of Purdy's NFL career. We are in the middle of the second quarter.
- Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 02:18 GMT
Kyle Hamilton records the Ravens' 3rd INT of the game.
The only other time Baltimore had three interceptions in a game this season was on October 1 in Cleveland, when the Ravens played against rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson (and not against an NFL MVP favorite in Brock Purdy).
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 26, 2023
- Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 02:16 GMT
Another interception
Brock Purdy is forced out of the pocket and a pass is deflected and intercepted by Kyle Hamilton, giving the safety his second pick of the night. That's three for Purdy, and his MVP case could take some hits tonight. Adding insult to injury is that a chop block gives the Ravens another 15 yards, so they will take 20 yards on SFs.
- Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 02:12 GMT
There aren't many coaches who would attack an elite team in the fourth round and then just let them play in the middle. However, John Harbaugh is one of those coaches. Also check out #80 Isaiah Likely in the backfield for this game.
- Tue, December 26, 2023 at 02:10 GMT
- Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 02:09 GMT
LANDING
The Ravens reach the end zone first with a run up the middle by Gus Edwards. They take a 10-5 lead in a game that was just as eventful as hoped.
- Tuesday, December 26, 2023, 02:08 GMT
The Ravens are stopped at the 2 on 3rd-and-goal. They seem to be trying.
- Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 02:04 GMT
The Ravens feed Zay Flowers, who has shown off his quick feet. He had 5 catches for 34 of his 75 yards in this game.
- Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 02:02 GMT
- Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 02:01 GMT
Brock Purdy with the third two-INT game of his 20-start career. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 26, 2023
- Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 02:01 GMT
INTERCEPTION
Brock Purdy throws his second throw of the night on a pass blocked by Brandon Stephens and caught by Marlon Humphrey. Ravens ball at their own 48.
- Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 01:59 GMT
The Ravens are once again having trouble defending the middle of the field, and 49ers TE George Kittle is taking advantage.
Kittle had 91 yards receiving in the first quarter, his most in ANY quarter since 2018, per @ESPNStatsInfo.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 26, 2023
- Tuesday, December 26, 2023, 01:56 GMT
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 become increasingly open.
- Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 01:51 GMT
The Ravens take a 37-yard penalty from Tashaun Gipson and turn it into a 28-yard field goal from Justin Tucker to cut the deficit to 5-3. Another normal football result.
- Tue Dec 26, 2023 at 1:50am GMT
- Tuesday, December 26, 2023, 01:47 GMT
Niners are called for pass interference on third down. Some fans, who just watched a referee trip the opposing quarterback in the end zone for a safety, boo the clear penalty.
- Tue, December 26, 2023 at 1:45 a.m. GMT
An absolutely bizarre piece. Two WRs ran downfield and left their corners free to score on Flowers.
Ravens throw an RPO screen and no one decides to shoot wide. OK.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) December 26, 2023
- Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 01:44 GMT
Patrick Mekari is at LT to start the Ravens' third drive.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) December 26, 2023