I want balti-MORE

🐦‍⬛ Ravens Flock 49ers on Christmas 🐦‍⬛

If you had told me earlier this NFL season that the Baltimore Ravens would be the best team in the NFL 16 weeks in without their star tight end Mark Andrews, no superstar WR, and 2 of their 3 running backs out for the year…I would have laughed in your face. I think I could be put at running back for the Ravens and average good yards because of how good their run blocking is (I would see a linebacker shooting the gap and cry). They are first in total rushing yards, first in YPC, and top 3 in rushing TDs. It is a straight-up ground-and-pound football. But that does not mean that they can’t throw the ball, they have Lamar Jackson, who I think is the MVP of this season. He extends plays like no other and he is finally staying healthy all year for the first time since his last MVP season. Watching him on Christmas Night against the 49ers and seeing how he can make plays despite Nick Bosa and Chase Young being in his face almost immediately is remarkable. That’s enough about the offense though. Defense wins championships. That is what I heard throughout youth sports (I was so mediocre and I hated it). Scoring points is so much more fun than deflecting a pass or tackling someone. But oh my goodness. Baltimore’s defense might be the best I have watched in a while. They have a few big names such as star MLB Roquan Smith, 2nd-year breakout safety Kyle Hamilton, and above-average DBs on both ends of the field. Today, they ate Brock Purdy alive and did not let up one bit. I love Brock Purdy because of his story and the type of person he is so you will not catch me talking bad about him by calling him a “system quarterback” but oh my. I think just about every QB in the league would have struggled against this defense today. 5 interceptions is crazy. But the thing that stood out to me was the resilience. On Kyle Hamilton’s 2nd interception of the night, he got chop blocked, layed on the ground for a good 3 seconds, realized the play was still going, got up, covered the middle of the field, and caught a deflected pass to get the ball back. That just defines the phrase “play until the whistle blows” and I think all young players should watch that play. (Praying, he is not seriously injured). After a 33-19 win in San Francisco, I would put Baltimore as my Super Bowl favorite. Looking forward, the Ravens have the Dolphins and the Steelers at home to close out the season. I would pick the Ravens to win out and end the season at 14-3 🤯. If the Ravens secure a bye week they would be looking at (as of right now after week 16) a divisional against the Browns, Jags, Bills, or Colts. I think they would be the favorite in all of these but the Bills are playing great football right now and would be a scary matchup after a week off. For the first time in a few years, the AFC looks pretty weak other than Baltimore so if there is ever a time, it is now with a healthy MVP Lamar and a stifling defense. As for the NFC, I still think the Niners are the favorite unless their injuries are serious. If Brock, Trent, and other starters are out in the postseason, then I would look elsewhere. I love Detroit this year but I think they are a year or two out from a Super Bowl push yet, I would still not want to face them in the Wild Card round. With that being said, I would not be shocked to see San Francisco and Baltimore meet again in February.