The 49ers face one of their biggest challenges on Christmas Day when they face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16 at Levi's Stadium.
And while the NFC's top team knows the AFC-leading Ravens are a worthy opponent, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan reminded them of that this week.
“Different team, same mindset, so same mentality, it kind of seems like the movies,” tight end George Kittle told Ravens reporters on Friday. “They will – I don’t want to say bully, [but] They will bring it to every single game. They will be physical.
“One of the cool stats Coach Shanahan showed us is that.” [Baltimore is] “The No. 1 first-quarter defense in the NFL because they come out there and surprise you by just smacking you in the face, and I respect them deeply for that.”
The Ravens defense has allowed the fewest first quarter points per game this season at 1.8. The next closest team is the Jacksonville Jaguars with 2.4 first quarter points allowed per game. San Francisco's defense ranks 10th at 3.8.
In comparison, the 49ers' offense thrived in the first quarter of this season. With 6.6 points per game in the first quarter, the unit ranks third in the NFL – behind Baltimore (6.9) and the Dallas Cowboys (7.7).
The stats make for an electric start to Monday's game, and Kittle knows it will be a tough matchup. From the linebacker duo of Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen to Baltimore's elite pass rush, the 49ers offense has a lot to offer.
“I think they have a lot of really talented players,” Kittle said of the Ravens’ defense. “… They're prepared and ready for this game and it's going to be a fun game for us.”
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