Baltimore vs. San Francisco
Ravens Outlast Weather, 49ers to Beat NFC's Top Team and Log Franchise-Best 8th-Straight Win
What was a back-and-forth battle befitting of two of the NFL's best teams in the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers in the first half on Sunday, turned into a battle against the elements in heavy rain and wind at M&T Bank Stadium for much of the second half that only resulted in each team scoring a field goal.
Luckily for the Ravens (10-2), their field goal came as time was expiring in the fourth quarter of a tie game, sending Baltimore to a franchise-record eighth-consecutive victory, 20-17 over the NFC-leading 49ers (10-2). Before Justin Tucker's 49-yard kick, Lamar Jackson engineered a ground-based drive that chewed up the final 6:30 of game clock before the game-winning kick, including going for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 40-yard line.
"We knew we were going to go for it on fourth-and-1 at that point, if we got to that situation," head coach John Harbaugh said after the game. "We have a good offensive line. We have a quarterback that can handle it, and probably [having confidence in] the offensive line again, as much as anything."
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Despite only throwing 14-for-23 for 105 yards and losing a fumble, Jackson did set some more records against the NFL's top-rated defense coming into the game in what could very well be a preview of Super Bowl LIV. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 100 yards at least four times in a single season, and he's now 12-0 in his career when rushing for at least 70 yards. For Jackson, however, the most important thing was grinding out a close win after three-straight weeks of one-sided blowout victories.
"This is the NFL, so each and every game, you're going to go in prepared, ready for a dogfight," Jackson told reporters after the game. "This one here, it was a dogfight that came down to fourth down [and a] field goal. We were ready, but at the same time, you've got to get ready each and every game because you don't know what will happen."
In addition to the dual-threat quarterback and a dynamic defense, Tucker has been a key weapon in the Ravens' success over the past eight seasons. This was the 15th game-winning field goal for the most accurate kicker in NFL history, which is something the club will never take for granted.
"That's the guy you want in that situation," said Harbaugh. "I'm very grateful we have him on Thanksgiving weekend."
"He's got that golden leg; I've got all the faith in him," Jackson added.
For Tucker, he thrives on the pressure of a game-winning kick, even in challenging conditions like at the end of today's contest.
"I think we all do [live for these moments], and it's a really special group," Tucker said. "The conditions were not great, but being able to come through for this team in that moment is really special."
In addition to setting a franchise record for consecutive victories, the team ended the day with 49 touchdowns on the season, which is the most touchdowns the team has ever scored in a season—and there are still four games remaining.
In addition to a potential Super Bowl matchup this coming February in Miami, the teams also met in Super Bowl XLVII, which the Ravens won 34-31 in New Orleans. With today's win, Baltimore finished out a perfect 4-0 mark against the NFC West this season.
With four games to play, the Ravens remain in the driver's seat for home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, as they own a head-to-head tiebreaker with 10-2 New England. An AFC North title is all but assured with a three-game lead over Pittsburgh. At worst, the teams would be tied at 10-5 going into their Week 17 matchup here if the Ravens lose their next three games and the Steelers win their next three.
GAME RECAP
The 49ers set the tone by taking the opening kickoff and driving 74 yards in seven plays for a touchdown when Jimmy Garoppolo connected on a 33-yard pass to Deebo Samuel for a 7-0 San Francisco lead. It marked the first time in over a month that Baltimore trailed in a game and was the first team to score against the Ravens in the first quarter of a game since Week 6 against Cincinnati.
The adversity didn't last long, however, as Chuck Clark caused a fumble while sacking Garoppolo, putting the Ravens at the Niners' 23-yard line. Two plays later, Jackson connected with Mark Andrews for a 20-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
Jackson then engineered one of his patented long drives that 7:15 of game clock spanning the first and second quarters and ended with a one-yard TD run by the quarterback to give Baltimore its first lead at 14-7.
Raheem Mostert responded by breaking free for a 40-yard touchdown run on the ensuing San Fran possession, once again tying the game.
Baltimore then ran another seven-minute drive that ended with a 30-yard field goal by Tucker. Robbie Gould missed a 51-yard field-goal attempt as time expired in the first half, so the score entering halftime was 17-14 Baltimore. Marlon Humphrey also blocked another 49ers field-goal attempt in the contest.
The weather worsened in the second half, and the 49ers put together a long, ground-based drive of their own when they got their first opportunity in the third quarter. They went 15 plays (nine runs) in 8:22, ending the drive with a 32-yarder by Gould to tie the game for the third time.
After some punts, each team failed on a fourth-down attempt from near midfield in the fourth quarter. Following Garoppolo's incomplete pass with 6:28 left, the Ravens got the ball at their own 35 and kept it for the rest of the game. They ran the ball nine times, and Jackson was 3-for-3 from the air during the game-winning drive, leading up to Tucker's game-winning kick.
UP NEXT
The Ravens will likely be challenged again next week, traveling to a difficult environment in Buffalo to face the 9-3 Bills, who are poised for a wild-card berth and could still challenge the Patriots for the AFC East title.
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