ExtremeRavens Posted December 26, 2023 Posted December 26, 2023 Here’s how the Ravens (12-3) graded out at each position after a 33-19 win over the San Francisco 49ers (11-4) in Monday night’s Week 16 game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Quarterback Lamar Jackson took about 25 minutes to warm up. He seemed nervous and the Ravens might be better suited getting him more involved in the running game rather than starting with a bunch of passes. But once he got into a flow, he was successful in making plays after escaping and rolling out of the pocket. Jackson completed 23 of 35 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns, and he got two big gains on yards after the catch by halfback Gus Edwards and tight end Isaiah Likely. The intentional grounding penalty on Jackson that led to a safety in the first quarter showed he had the jitters. Grade: B+ Running backs The Ravens didn’t have a standout or dominant performer, but they kept San Francisco off-balance with both Edwards and Justice Hill. Edwards had nine carries for 31 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, and Hill had 10 for 26. Both made major contributions as pass catchers. Hill added three catches for 31 yards and Edwards had one short reception that he turned into a 39-yard gain. Grade: C+ Offensive line The 49ers came into the game with the best linebacking corps in the NFL, but the Ravens blocked them and their defensive line well. San Francisco had only two sacks and four quarterback pressures. Offensive tackles Morgan Moses and Ronnie Stanley, who have struggled in recent weeks, were solid, and the Ravens got good movement on initial contact on running plays by guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson. The Ravens finished with 343 yards of total offense and won the line of scrimmage. Grade: B+ Receivers This group came out as cold as Jackson to open the game. Even when Jackson got going, the Ravens still dropped too many passes. Both Jackson and rookie Zay Flowers had poor timing early but got better as the game went on. Flowers finished with nine catches for 72 yards and a 9-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Likely had three catches for 56 yards while receiver Nelson Agholor had a 6-yard touchdown reception in the third. Eight players caught at least one pass. Grade: B- George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers attempts to block Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens as Humphrey tackles Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)Marcus Williams #32 of the Baltimore Ravens intercepts a pass intended for George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)Baltimore Ravens safety Marcus Williams (32) is congratulated by teammates after intercepting a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ronnie Bell (10) runs against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)Baltimore Ravens safety Marcus Williams, top, tackles San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is tackled against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) walks off the field with trainers during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) avoids the grasp of San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) as offensive tackle Morgan Moses (78) blocks during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after his interception during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)Patrick Queen #6 of the Baltimore Ravens hits George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers after Queen's interception during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, middle, is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, left, and linebacker Roquan Smith (0) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, celebrates with tight end Isaiah Likely after scoring against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates with wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) after connecting on a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, catches a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor celebrates after catching a touchdown pass in the third quarter Monday night against the 49ers in Santa Clara, California. (Loren Elliott/Getty)Ravens running Gus Edwards, left. stiff-arms 49ers linebacker Fred Warner in the third quarter Monday night.(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty)Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker (9) celebrates after kicking a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers dives past Marlon Humphrey #44 of the Baltimore Ravens while scoring a rushing touchdown during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) runs against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers attempts to tackle Zay Flowers #4 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) scores against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards, right, celebrates after scoring against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)Justin Tucker #9 of the Baltimore Ravens kicks a field goal during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) is tackled against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)Justin Madubuike #92 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, right, is tackled by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, right, runs against Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, middle, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)An official falls down as Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens is pressured by Fred Warner #54 and Chase Young #92 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens intercepts a pass intended for Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens as Hamilton returns an interception during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after his interception during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, throws to ball while trying to avoid San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. Jackson was called for intentional grounding in the end zone on the play, which scored a safety for the 49ers. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)Baltimore Ravens' Tylan Wallace, foreground left, returns a kickoff against San Francisco 49ers' Darrell Luter Jr. during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Dec. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) warms up during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Monday, Dec. 25, 2023, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)Show Caption of Expand Defensive line San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey had 103 yards on 14 carries but didn’t dominate or control the tempo of the game. Part of the reason is that the 49ers came out throwing the ball, which was a mistake, and then the Ravens started dominating the line of scrimmage from midway through the second quarter until the end of the game. McCaffrey couldn’t run outside the tackles on toss plays. Justin Madubuike had four tackles and fellow end Brent Urban had two sacks. Grade: B Linebackers There were times the 49ers got some nice blocks on both inside linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen, but both of them came up and made some vicious tackles. Smith finished with eight tackles while Queen had seven and was successful coming off the edge or even up the middle on blitzes. Once the 49ers got behind, they couldn’t stop either outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney or Kyle Van Noy, who each had a sack. Clowney dominated in the second half from both the left and right sides. When he didn’t get pressure, he got his arms up to at least obstruct passing lanes. Grade: A Secondary San Francisco’s receiving corps is among the best in the NFL at gaining yards after the catch and the Ravens contained them for most of the game. They gave up some yards over the middle, but the 49ers couldn’t figure out if someone was blitzing off the edge or dropping into coverage. The Ravens finished with five interceptions and the smartest move was putting cornerback Marlon Humphrey back inside over the slot receiver. Brandon Stephens continues to play extremely well and can be physical with most receivers and get away with his aggressiveness. Stephens and safety Kyle Hamilton, who had two interceptions, each finished with five tackles, and safety Marcus Williams had seven to go with a late pick. Grade: A Special teams Justin Tucker converted on field goal attempts of 28, 41, 28 and 24 yards. Jordan Stout averaged 43.3 yards on three punts, two of those inside the 20, while his longest was 56 yards. Tylan Wallace was at least decisive as a return specialist, but the Ravens allowed Deebo Samuel to return a kickoff 26 yards. That’s way too many. Grade: B Coaching The Ravens play hard and that’s the ultimate compliment for coach John Harbaugh. The 49ers were out-coached and out-schemed even though they are one of the better-coached teams in the NFL under Kyle Shanahan. The Ravens’ offense kept San Francisco off balance with a good blend of pass and run, and defensively they took away most of the 49ers’ plays to the outside, especially those quick passes. San Francisco had no clue which players the Ravens were sending off the corner. Grade: A View the full article Quote
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