Opportunistic Ravens blitz 49ers with third-quarter push

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Baltimore Ravens intercepted San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy 4 instances and used a 17-point third quarter blitz to tug away to a 33-19 victory Monday evening at Levi’s Stadium.

Baltimore moved to an NFL-best 12-3, utilizing two fast third-quarter touchdowns to show a 16-12 halftime lead right into a decisive 30-12 benefit. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson made an MVP assertion in opposition to the 49ers (11-4), throwing for 252 yards and two landing passes whereas including 45 yards on the bottom. Sam Darnold rallied the 49ers to a fourth-quarter landing after changing an injured Purdy, nevertheless it was too little, too late.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens made it clear who the perfect staff — and finest participant — within the NFL is true now.

In what was a battle between the highest two groups, Jackson staked his declare to his second NFL MVP award by weaving round 49ers pass-rushers and throwing for 252 yards and two landing passes. He outshined Purdy, his 49ers counterpart who entered because the betting favourite for NFL MVP.

Baltimore, which has the NFL’s finest file, can clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. With their fifth straight win, the Ravens have a 72% probability to win the AFC’s high spot, in accordance with ESPN Analytics.

The Ravens stated final week that they felt “disrespected” by being underdogs for the second time this season, they usually made a press release on each side of the ball. Baltimore recorded 5 interceptions — its most in a single recreation since 2007 — and scored on seven straight drives, which was its longest streak since 2019.

QB breakdown: After a ragged first half, Jackson appeared just like the NFL MVP in an ideal third quarter. He was 6-of-6 for 121 yards and two touchdowns as Baltimore put up 17 factors within the first three drives of the second half and blew open a detailed recreation. Jackson continued to shine in prime time. He is 5-2 on “Monday Evening Soccer,” producing 17 whole touchdowns and no interceptions. Jackson additionally improved to 20-1 in opposition to the NFC, which is the perfect file by any quarterback vs. the opposing convention for the reason that 1970 merger.

Purchase a breakout efficiency: Security Kyle Hamilton. He displayed the All-Professional kind he is proven all season to a nationwide tv viewers with two interceptions within the first half — matching the mixed whole from his first 30 profession video games. His first one ultimately zone ended San Francisco’s promising first drive. Hamilton’s second got here after he acquired chop-blocked by Christian McCaffrey and had an offensive lineman land on high of him. He acquired as much as catch a deflected move by Purdy, who recorded his first four-interception recreation of his 24-game profession.

Hamilton acquired a scare when he went down with a proper knee damage within the fourth quarter. He didn’t re-enter the sport however remained on the sideline after popping out of the medical tent, which might be encouraging information for the Ravens going ahead.

Troubling development: The Ravens have been referred to as for his or her third security of the season, which is probably the most within the NFL and probably the most in a single season in franchise historical past. None, although, have been as weird because the one Monday evening. On Baltimore’s second drive of the sport, Jackson eluded 49ers pass-rushers however not the official. Jackson tripped over umpire Alex Moore, who had misplaced his steadiness and fallen to the bottom, earlier than flipping the ball away ultimately zone. He was referred to as for intentional grounding, and that gave San Francisco its first factors of the sport. — Jamison Hensley

Subsequent recreation: vs. Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)

San Francisco 49ers

All week, the 49ers’ Monday evening showdown in opposition to the Ravens was hailed as a Tremendous Bowl preview.

As an alternative, for the Niners, it supplied a sobering reminder that attending to the NFL’s grandest stage does not come simple and if they’re going to achieve this, they’ll should eradicate the type of expensive errors they piled up within the lopsided loss. Dealing with the perfect opponent they’ve seen but, the Niners performed the kind of error-filled recreation that no staff — regardless of how good — can overcome.

The Ravens punished the Niners for his or her 5 turnovers, changing these into 17 factors. Purdy had the worst recreation of his younger profession, throwing a profession excessive 4 interceptions from which the Niners couldn’t get better. And, as if Purdy’s struggles weren’t sufficient, the Niners misplaced All-Professional left sort out Trent Williams to a groin damage and amassed 10 penalties for 102 yards.

It was San Francisco’s worst efficiency of the season, and although the Ravens actually performed their half in that, it leaves the Niners with loads of questions over the ultimate two weeks. The 49ers can nonetheless wrap up the No. 1 seed within the NFC by profitable their last two video games — on the Washington Commanders and residential in opposition to the red-hot Los Angeles Rams — or with a win and a few assist.

Pivotal play: With 12:07 left within the third quarter, Purdy threw a brief move to his left meant for McCaffrey. However Purdy’s arm was hit, the move was nowhere shut and it went proper into the palms of Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen.

The rating was already 23-12 Baltimore, so the sport wasn’t hanging within the steadiness on the time, nevertheless it was pivotal due to what it meant for Williams. Williams hustled to sort out Queen and stop a pick-six, however moments after the play, Williams headed to the blue medical tent. It was introduced shortly after that he suffered a groin damage and was questionable to return. He didn’t re-enter the sport.

There could also be no extra necessary participant on the Niners, and dropping Williams for any size of time is a big blow to a staff that hasn’t misplaced this season when he is began and completed a recreation wholesome.

QB breakdown: The Ravens’ protection gave Purdy bother all evening, particularly within the first half, as he threw three interceptions within the opening half-hour. He added one other interception within the second half to complete with 4. He was knocked out of the sport with a stinger within the fourth quarter, as Darnold completed the sport.

Monday was the primary four-interception recreation of Purdy’s profession, and he is the one participant to throw three picks in a primary half this season. Purdy ended the worst recreation of his profession 18-of-32 for 255 yards with no touchdowns for a passer ranking of 42.6. His MVP candidacy possible got here to an finish within the course of.

Eye-popping stat: McCaffrey posted one other massive evening, ending with 131 scrimmage yards and one landing. It is McCaffrey’s eighth straight recreation with 100-plus scrimmage yards, surpassing Roger Craig and Frank Gore for the franchise file. It is also McCaffrey’s eleventh recreation over 100 scrimmage yards this season, which can also be a Niners file. — Nick Wagoner

Subsequent recreation: at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)