Ravens vs. 49ers: Christmas Day Battle with Playoff Stakes and MVP Duel
Week 16 features a battle of the top teams in each conference as the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49ers. We usually don’t win at the end of the season because of the #1 seed and a possible Super Bowl appearance. With both teams in first place in their respective conferences, the loss is a major setback and will affect the playoff landscape. Let’s see how you can watch Monday Night Football on Christmas Day.
When and where is the NFL Christmas Day game?
The NFL will play three games on Christmas Day this season. In the last match Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers at 8:15 p.m. ET at Leviand#039;s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Ravens Storylines
The Ravens have won eight of their last nine games and control their fate in the AFC. They have already clinched a playoff spot and can clinch the AFC North with a Browns win and loss.
They’re not trying to look too far ahead, but a win in Week 16 and a win against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 could be all Baltimore needs to be No. 1 in the AFC.
seed for the finals. Although the standings are relatively even, the odds have made the 49ers a 5.5-point favorite. Ravens star Kyle Hamilton says the Ravens were hurt by those odds and uses that as motivation. “We think it’s a little disrespectful,” Hamilton said. “I feel like we’re the best team in the league and we have a chance to show that in front of the country.”
Lamar Jackson disagreed. The MVP candidate likes to be the underdog and is looking to the NFL to doubt the Ravens, via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
“I don’t want them to pick us. I like being the underdog and I think we play better when we’re doubted and [when people] aren’t picking us to win the game,” Jackson said. “I feel like we’re playing better all the time, so go until February and that’s all I’m asking.
” The 49ers know how important it is to win this game and stay in the driver’s seat and first place in the NFC. There is a chance the 49ers will face the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch of the NFC Championship, so they have home field advantage.
In college football, we often see a “Heisman Moment” that elevates a player and wins the prestigious trophy. Will this Monday Night Football Christmas game be Brock Purdy and #039’s “MVP moment”? Purdy and Jackson are two of the top contenders for the MVP award, and a win in this game would go a long way toward winning the award.
Purdy has the second-most yards passing behind Tua Tagolvailoa and has a league-best TD:INT ratio of 29-7. Lamar is a former MVP winner and leads all quarterbacks with 741 passing yards. It would be easy to give Lamar his second MVP award, but Purdy can make it a non-contest with a big statistical night and win it.
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