Affter dismantling multiple playoff-caliber teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles on the way to a six-game win streak, the San Francisco 49ers have been on cruise control with the NFC’s No. 1 seed in sight. However, the 49ers ran into their first road block on Christmas night against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
Despite jumping out to a 5-0 lead behind a safety on the second drive of the game, four Brock Purdy interceptions hampered the 49ers as the Ravens ripped off 13 unanswered points.
In the second half, the Ravens tallied another 17 unanswered points to take a commanding lead. With injuries to Brock Purdy and Trent Williams, the 49ers’ attempt at a comeback fell short as they fell to the Ravens, 33-19.
Before moving on to the second-to-last game of the season against the Washington Commanders, here’s a look at some of the good and bad from Christmas in Santa Clara.
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Bad: Injuries
The 49ers finished their loss to the Ravens without two key pieces on offense.
All-Pro offensive tackle Trent Williams exited the game and did not return after suffering a groin injury.
Brock Purdy also left the game with the same stinger injury he suffered against the Arizona Cardinals. While Purdy was able to return after three plays against the Cardinals, Purdy sat out the final eight minutes against the Ravens.
Offensive tackle Jaylon Moore (concussion) and offensive guard Aaron Banks (toe) also left the game with injuries and did not return against the Ravens.
Good: Playoff Push
While their loss to the Ravens was rough, the 49ers have already locked up the NFC West crown and they still control their own destiny when it comes to the NFC No. 1 seed.
At 11-4, the 49ers are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions for the best record in the NFC. However, the 49ers hold tiebreakers over the Eagles, Lions and the Dallas Cowboys, who have the second-best record in the NFC at 10-5.
To secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff race, the 49ers will need to register victories over the Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Rams in their final two games of the season.
Bad: Brock Purdy's MVP Campaign
Prior to exiting the game with an injury, Brock Purdy struggled against the Ravens on his way to one of the worst games of his young career. Purdy tossed a career-high four interceptions against the Ravens, with three of them coming in the first half.
Purdy finished the game with 255 yards on 18 of 32 passing with four interceptions and zero touchdown passes. Purdy’s performance against the Ravens was his first contest without a touchdown pass since week two against the Los Angeles Rams.
With a poor performance in a head-to-head loss to fellow MVP-favorite Lamar Jackson, Purdy’s MVP stock will likely plummet with only two games left on the schedule.
Good: Christian McCaffrey
While Purdy’s MVP chances faded, Christian McCaffrey’s bolstered. The 49ers’ do-it-all runner fueled San Francisco’s offense on Monday night. Purdy rushed for 103 yards on 14 carries. McCaffrey added six catches for 28 yards through the air.
During the 49ers’ most impressive drive of the evening, McCaffrey carried the load. On a six-play, 67-yard drive, McCaffrey carried the ball five times for 65 yards. The Stanford Cardinal product capped the drive with a three-yard touchdown run.
Good: Rush Defense
Bad: Tashaun Gipson
Good: George Kittle
