49ers Face Ravens in Week 15 Showdown

49ers Face Ravens in Week 15 Showdown

The Week 15 conference matchup between the AFC-leading Baltimore Ravens and the NFC-leading San Francisco 49ers is an epic matchup. Many experts believe that this could be a possible Super Bowl preview.

Before both teams earn the right to a rematch, they first treat the crowd to what could be the best game of the year on the Christmas edition of Monday Night Football. While both teams look like the cream of their respective divisions and conferences, the 49ers are heavily favored and projected to beat the underdog Ravens by less than one goal. It’s not a stretch to argue that San Francisco may indeed be the best team in the league, as they’ve certainly played that way since their Week 9 comeback.

They have the league’s longest active winning streak at six straight at 207-74. The 49ers have several versatile and elite playmakers who can make life hell for opponents. That list includes all-pros like Deebo Samuels, George Kittle, Christian McCaffery, Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Trent Williams, as well as Pro Bowlers Javon Hargrave and former Ravens quarterback Kyle Juszczyk. However, the Ravens have one of the more complete rosters with many dynamic defenders and offensive players.

Along with their versatile plans, they present a unique challenge unlike anything their potential foes have faced this year. San Francisco head coach and offensive lineman Kyle Shanahan has an MVP-caliber quarterback surrounded by weapons that can attack any area of ​​the field. However, where they are most useful is in the middle. When opponents aren’t blowing coverage or taking bad angles, the 49ers are relentlessly attacking second- and third-level defenders along the seams and deep into the middle zone.

While most teams have avoided investing in the safety and linebacker positions, the Ravens have put most of their money and resources there over the past two seasons. Their backbone is the strength of the No. 1 defense, led by All-Pro middle linebacker Roquan Smith, arguably the best player at his position, and second-year breakout star Kyle Hamilton. Hamilton is the ultimate modern defensive pawn, unlocking everything they can to disrupt their opponent’s game plans.

The team used its first-round pick in w0ww to stop Hamilton’s free fall from the Top-10 and acquired Smith in a trade midway through last year.

They then made him a highly paid off-ball linebacker before the postseason. They’re also very strong in the trenches with another star defensive tackle, Justin Madubuiki, and veteran outside linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy — who are also in the midst of a career year.

Smith joins forces with Patrick Queen to form the league’s best linebacker tandem, while Hamilton is part of the league’s best safety trio with Marcus Williams and Geno Stone. Up front, Madubuike leads all defensive backs in sacks (12) and is one away from a new NFL record for most consecutive games with at least half a sack.