The Prelude?

AFC Game Of The Week

San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens

49ers: “They can’t beat another good team”. “They’re frauds”. “I’m not sold on them”. That’s been the sounds of their critics. If you weren’t already sold on them, go watch the highlights against the Green Bay Packers. I’ll admit I wasn’t sold on them in the beginning. They really had me paying attention when they beat the Rams earlier in the year. Their week 12 performance was their best all-around win this year. George Kittle maybe the most important piece to this team. When you’re a tight end, you must do more than just catch the ball. You’re a key contributor in the running game. That was shown on Sunday night. Jimmy Garoppolo used his play action perfectly then found his top target a few times along with the others. How about the defense?! Their game plan was simple. They rushed four all game without loading up the box. In the backend, they played a zone scheme which forced Aaron Rodgers to throw the football underneath. Once he did, every San Francisco defender swarmed to the ball to make the tackle. There was no space given up after the pass was completed. What caught my eye in that game was how the 49ers punched the Packers in the mouth in the entire first half. Green Bay never recovered until the third quarter. They became the first team in the NFC to win ten games on the year. They’ve passed one test. Now, it’s another against the hottest team in football on Sunday.

Ravens: Seven straight wins and counting. They’ve been on an absolute tear. If he wasn’t in the discussion, John Harbaugh needs some consideration for coach of the year. The Baltimore Ravens are 9-2 for the first time since 2012. This is their best 11 game start since then. When they last had this record through 11 games, they went on to win the Super Bowl. What a coincidence, right? Lamar Jackson continues to turn his critics into fans. In his Monday night debut against the Rams, he tore apart one of the best defenses in the league throwing for five touchdown passes. Here’s the thing about Lamar: teams will dare him to throw the ball, he accepts the challenge. He just doesn’t depend on his running to get by. Over the weeks, he’s improved his throwing. The more he does it, the more aware defenses should be. This is the most complete team in the NFL right now. Offensively, they’re so dynamic. They have receivers on the perimeter that can work down the field to get open, a quarterback that moves around putting so much pressure on the defense, a running game that allows them to control the clock along with an offensive line that punishes you in the trenches. Defensively, they’ve improved. Their front seven is active. They have linebackers that cover, and the secondary holds it all together in the backend. Marcus Peters is paying off for the Ravens. This is a football team who plays a physical brand of football. They’ll look to make it eight straight wins on Sunday.

49ers Player to Watch: Tevin Coleman- The Niners will need much of him on Sunday. The formula is simple. To keep a prolific offense on the sidelines, control the clock. To do that, you must run the football. Control the line of scrimmage up front. When you’re able to get some nice runs in, the quarterback is able to use his play-action. The 49ers are a better offensive team when they’re able to get Tevin going on the ground. He could be a huge difference maker for them in this game.

Ravens Player to Watch: Marquise Brown– The tandem of Lamar Jackson to Brown could be one of the best in a few seasons. I was a fan of his game in Oklahoma. I’m still a fan of his now in the NFL. He’s the Ravens fastest receiver. He’s just not that vertical threat that gets up the field. He can go over the middle to find that spot in the zone. I see him putting a lot of pressure on the 49ers’ secondary because of the quickness he displays, his savvy route running and his moves with the football in his hands after the catch. He could have a big game on Sunday.

Final Analysis: Well, we are in for a treat in this one! Two of the best teams in the NFL will square off in this one. Is this a possible Super Bowl preview? Only time will tell. Lamar has faced one tough defense already and passed that test with flying colors. Can he do it again? I wonder how San Francisco’s defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will plan to attack number eight. It’ll start with containment up front. The 49ers need to play man coverage. Zone won’t work because that’s giving up too much space to a mobile quarterback. Baltimore needs to contain the 49ers running game and make Jimmy throw it all game long. I see them being active up front.

Prediction: Ravens 31 49ers 23