Football fans across the nation will receive an exciting gift when the San Francisco 49ers host the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day.
It will be a matchup of the teams that are tied for the NFL’s best record, while also being a potential preview of this season’s Super Bowl.
While both teams can put points up on the board, they have gotten this far on the strength of their respective defenses.
The 49ers are second in points allowed while the Ravens are first in that category, and per Pro Football Focus, the two teams also rank first in two different defensive categories.
Ravens or 49ers – which defense is better? pic.twitter.com/EZiR5YrdE3
— PFF (@PFF) December 22, 2023
The Ravens’ front seven is excellent, and last week versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, they forced Trevor Lawrence into completing just 25 of 43 pass attempts while sacking him six times.
San Francisco also has an outstanding front seven, but they excel in forcing turnovers, another defensive category in which they rank first.
If they have a deficiency on that side of the football, it could be certain aspects of their passing defense — they rank 15th in passing yards allowed and have seemed susceptible at times in terms of giving up big yardage plays downfield.
Meanwhile, the Ravens may have a bit of a hole in their rushing defense.
Monday’s game will also be a matchup of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who is the strong favorite to win the MVP award, and Ravens signal-caller Lamar Jackson, who is suddenly considered second in the MVP odds list.
If Purdy plays well and the Niners defeat Baltimore, it could very well ensure he wins the award.
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