Merry Christmas everyone! We've got one final present to open before we wrap it up for another year. Will ShanaClaus give us what we want or will we be left with coal? That depends on whether or not the 49ers defense minus Arik Armstead can stop the run or not. Ultimately, discipline by every defensive player, particularly the defensive line must be exact in their assignments.
#49ers are the #1 red-zone offense in the NFL, they convert on 69% of trips. In past four games, they have scored a TD on 13 of their 14 red zone drives, an NFL best 93%. That includes 12 straight touchdowns.
Ravens are the #2 red-zone defense in the NFL, they only allow TDs on 38% of trips.The Ravens' defense is also 17th in explosive rush rate. They've given up an explosive run on 9.8% of carries this season. The #49ers are #1 in explosive run rate, meaning they go for an explosive run on 14.3% of carries this season.
All Ravens eyes will be on CMC which might mean Deebo and Kittle both have big games. Expect 5-6 screens to Deebo with a fake or two in between to Kittle over the middle. I like the 49ers bigger in this game than the "experts" predict, 37-24. Go Niners!
*Verrett and his 4.38 speed has been promoted from the practice squad to todays game
49ers inactives:
QB Brandon Allen (3rd QB)
DT Arik Armstead
WR Jauan Jennings
TE Ross Dwelley
LB Oren Burks
RB Elijah Mitchell
CB Sam Womack
Merry Christmas all. Niners 31 Ravens 20 in a hard fought game.
ReplyDeleteWIth Womack a healthy scratch, it looks like Verrett might play some special teams. I like that they have Verrett and Beal active, because that's speed to counter Jackson's.
DeleteRightttttttt
DeleteMerry Christmas Everyone!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know why Womack is a Healthy Scratch? I had high hopes on the kid....his run game needs improvement, but he is a bonafide ball hawk.
Well, hope he develops in the next two years.
Merry Christmas and peace to all.
ReplyDeleteRavens D has apparently seen only 18 snaps of 21 personnel this season. I'd like to see how much base D they play this evening -- they've been playing nickel predominantly with their rookie Hamilton moving around.
Yep
DeleteMerry Christmas everyone!
ReplyDeletePurdy looked great to start that drive but the red zone INT hurts in a game like this. Hopefully doesn't come back to bite them.
Well this is not going to wonders for Brock's MVP credentials
ReplyDeleteCrazy. Purdy having a meltdown but we are still in it if no more interceptions.
ReplyDeleteWhat in the hell is going on out there?
ReplyDeleteGood learning experience for Purdy. I really like his progress but all this constant MVP nonsense over the past month had me turned off completely.
ReplyDeleteLet's see how the Niners respond to the adversity.
This isn’t all on Purdy. One tipped pass and one hit arm but still that Raven defense is as good as advertised or better.
DeleteTrue. But the game showed in general that he was not ready for safeties who are fast and do not bite on his looking them off. This is a much better D, esp. DBs, than those he has faced so far. All part of growing up in the NFL.
DeleteNiners have been drinking the #1 rating koolaid for a few weeks now. Good wake up call.
ReplyDeleteBe yond Purdy losing any chance at MVP, which was ridiculous on its face, Niners are showing again they can't beat teams from the AFC Central, Ravens being the latest. This year will end the same as the last six seasons have for the Niners under Shanahan. Not well.
ReplyDeleteNot well is what it is every year for 31 teams. You can’t beat any team when you have 4 turnovers. The Niners moved the ball well. The result is all about the turnovers.
DeleteThe Ravens obviously had a defensive game plan that the Niners were not prepared for. I doubt the Niners we’re drinking their own koolaid
ReplyDeleteThese idiots at NBC Bay Area (Carlos Ramirez and Matt Maiocco) are discussing the hit to Purdy's MVP chances.
ReplyDeleteWhile the Purdy romance has been high around here, it's good to recognize that it's a team effort. MVP, would be nice, but the real focus is a SB trophy. But as I've said before, a SB Trophy rewards every 49ers fan for life. I'm not concerned about Purdy's rough outing tonight, because he's proven that he can bounce back this season. This was a good lesson learned by the 49ers team from top to bottom.
ReplyDeleteThey came out flat and quickly got out of control, it happens. I still expect them to win the Superbowl this season. Tonight's loss didn't change anything for me.
Completely agree. Purdy and Shanahan will learn fro:this and be better next time.
DeletePurdy is who he is. An average QB with good players around him. With his confidence now shattered, just can't see him winning a SB, especially against a team like the Ravens, who confounded the 49ers coaching staff with their terrific game plan and execution.
ReplyDeleteWeak trolling
DeleteThe Ravens victory was convincing, which means absolutely nothing to me. The 49ers weren't ready to play last night, and it showed on the field. One 49ers media outlet writes whether the team might lose its next two games. I expected the overreactions coming on the day after. It's what the talking heads do.
DeleteRemember, they also overreacted when the 49ers crushed the cowboys and eagles. The 49ers are a SB ready team. And the only thing that would surprise me at this point, is if they lose the Superbowl.
How about using a name or do you not want your name associated with your comments?
DeleteI think the #1 seed may disappear over the next 2 weeks Purdy's interceptitis has returned. He has looked terrible against the only two very good defenses he has faced (Cleve/ Balt) The O line is in shambles and the D is one of the worst tackling defenses in football. I think they will lose one of their two remaining games. imho
ReplyDeletePersonally I am kind of glad the team got the snot kicked out of them. I've always thought a humbling defeat just before playoffs was a good thing. And given the 49ers road for the #1 seed is still in their hands it was good time for it.
ReplyDeleteIt is also largely an experienced team that won't let that game get in their heads. They've gotten their butts kicked before and know they're better than that and able to turn it around. The only concern I have is how it will effect Purdy, but he's shown how resilient he can be so I'm not too worried.
Scooter,
DeleteAs concerned as I am about BP and the poor tackling my major concern is for the health of the O line. McKivitz at left OT and Burford at RT is a recipe for disaster. Banks could be done for the year, recurring turf toe can be career ending. The O line for next weeks game (on the road on a short week) could be McKivitz left OT Bartch left OG Brendel C Feliciano right OG Burford right OT. WOW is that a terrible O line. imho
That's fair. But don't believe they're expected to be long term injuries outside of Banks. Hopefully the others are back by Rams. And hopefully Banks can play through the pain barrier in the playoffs.
Delete@Scooter: Agree with your comment regarding a beat down reminding players to remain humble. I'm a little concerned about Warner. This is the 2nd game in a row where he has looked anything but the best LB in the league. Whitner said, after the Cardinal's game, that when the inside DL change (i.e. Hargrave and AA were out), that can impact how the LBs play because they get used to how the guys in front of them move and take on blocks. But Hargrave was back for the Ravens game and it seemed to me that Warner still looked out of sorts.
Delete49ers have signed NT Sebastian Joseph-Day. Good depth signing.
ReplyDeleteHopefully this signing isn't a sign that Armstead is done for the year
DeleteYou are correct re the Oline. We went into this season with concerns about the Oline, and now that is heightened with the Bank's turf toe. Although we are a strong team and playoff ready, the 49ers will need to address this in the off-season if they want to remain a relevant team for years to come.
ReplyDeleteThat was a shellacking! Hat Tip to the Ravens coaches and players. They were better....period and gave us a whopping. F game from Brock and Kyle, but you can have that after 5 win streak.
ReplyDeleteWe can still win the NFC 1st seed, but it is going to be tough.
We play a motivated Commanders team on a short week....10 AM PST start, with a lot of injuries and a cross country trip. Washington has some solid players and Bienemy (as part of chiefs) has ripped us apart a couple of times.
What worries me though is that the game is at Fedex field. That place is where ACLs and MCLs go to die.... it's a freakin' graveyard.
Mug,
ReplyDeleteOh crap I forgot all about those field issues. After all of the injuries Monday night if we experience any more this Sunday we are done.
Right.... I think we will get to the SB this year.
DeleteMy only concern is that @Fedex Field... Purdy, Trent, Bosa, Warner, CMC come off unscathed. Any one of those goes down for the season, very difficult to get to SB.
If ever there was a game to pull out our starters after a two score lead, this is the one.
Since, the 49ers wrapped up a playoff spot, it seems that their style of bullying the opposition stopped. Their tackling has been suspect and the offense looks vanilla. For me, I view it as the team at preseason level.
ReplyDeleteQuestion. Is it by design? Focus seems to be, play not to get hurt. Whether true or not, the real 49ers will show up in the playoffs and bully anyone in their way all the way to the Superbowl.
Not if they meet up with the Ravens again.
DeleteJohn Harbaugh is a great coach who now has beaten the Niners in 3 key games over the last decade. He will be prepared and have the Ravens for whatever the Niners
throw his way. SB Prediction if 49ers/Ravens SB meet:
A solid Ravens' win and Shanahan's 3rd SB loss.
Thank God we have a coach good enough to consistently get us to the NFCCG or SB, there aren't many of those around.
DeleteI still have the 49ers as my top SB contender. I'm not convinced that the Ravens will. Actually, they have trouble making it out of the playoffs with Jackson playing subpart in the postseason. I compare the Ravens to the C'boys in the playoffs. My AFC SB contenders will come down to Miami or the Bills. I believe that the 49ers can beat anyone of these two teams. Now, if Brock and the 49ers can't bounce back this Sunday, I will definitely need to adjust my thinking.
ReplyDeleteMY BIGGEST WEEK 17 CONCERN IS THE SAFETY POSITION:
ReplyDelete* With S Talanoa Hufanga out for the season with a torn ACL and rookie Ji’Ayir Brown questionable due to a knee sprain, newly acquired S Logan Ryan may be making his first start as a 9ers!
33 y/o Gibson is the other starting S and it's his 2nd year with the
9ers, so he should know his defensive responsibilities. He will be
responsible for making sure everyone is on the same page in pass
coverage agains Washigton's QB Jacoby Brissett.
MY 2ND BIGGEST WEEK 17 CONCERN IS THE DT POSITION:
* With DT Armstead out for his 4th game in a row, the 9ers will be
looking for help at DT.
* The Chargers did the 9ers a large, by waiving veteran DT Sebastian Joseph-Day. He called signing with the 9ers a “no-brainer” decision.
9ER FANS WILL AGREE AND HOPE IT WAS!
Joseph-Day had 3 sacks, 11 QB hits and 31 tackles in 14 games with the Chargers.
DE Chase Young:
* Chase Young was a starter and every-down player for Washington until the trade sent him to the 9ers. He played 54 % of the snaps in his first 7 games with the 9ers. I look for Young to make a statement
as this game will be important for him to send a message to the FO
and players of the Commanders.
TE KITTLE: I expect Kittle to have a big game against Washington.
Kittle needs only 9 yards receiving to reach 1,000 for the 3rd time in his career. Also, when Kittle goes over 1,000 yards he and WR Aiyuk will be the first pair of 9ers to reach the milestone in the same season since Rice and Owens in 1998.
Kittle, Aiyuk, CMC and Deebo should provide BP with the fire power to
put a W on the board!
QB Brock Purdy:
* Purdy knows it's not acceptable for him to commit 4 turnovers as he did in the 9ers’ blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He also knows he cannot play it too safe, either.
So in this game against the Commanders, Purdy will be challenged to avoid the critical mistakes but also not pass up opportunities for big plays. I look for Purdy to accept the challenge and lead the 9ers to a
win.
* Purdy can set the 4ers franchise record with 229 yards passing against Washington. He he does, he'll became the 3rd player in team history to throw for 4,000 yards in a season. With 4,050 yards, he can break Garcia’s record of 4,278 yards, which he set in 2000.
CREDIT TO MATT MAIOCCO FOR THE INFO ION HIS ARTICLE
https://sports.yahoo.com/five-49ers-watch-pivotal-week-173151690.html
Commanders QB Brissett questionable for Week 17 vs. 49ers
ReplyDeletehttps://sports.yahoo.com/commanders-qb-brissett-questionable-week-192140094.html
Jacoby Brissett might not start against the 49ers this week after all.
The veteran quarterback was added to the Washington Commanders' injury report on Friday with hamstring tightness. Brissett is listed as questionable for Sunday's game.
The 31-year-old quarterback officially was given the starting job on Wednesday when head coach Ron Rivera announced that Sam Howell would be benched. But if Brissett can't play on Sunday, Howell would be elevated back into the starting role. Jake Fromm, currently on the practice squad, is the only other quarterback in the Commanders' building and would be elevated to the active roster if Brissett is out.
GEEP,
ReplyDeleteNice piece. The 2024 draft has three QBs that are potential top 5 picks. In this order: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and
Jayden Daniels. I, just don't see
WASH seriously trying to beat the 49ers and possibly losing on a potential franchise QB.
The only way the 49ers lose this game is if they gift wrap it, to WASH.
AES
ReplyDelete* I agree, this should be a W for the 9ers. Even the weather is cooperating. Game time at Fed Ex field Should be sunny!
* RE 3 QBs that are potential top 5 picks: I would add that I see 5,
maybe 6 QB going in the 1st Rd. Hopefully, that'll push Oregon St.OT Talise Fuaga down the board and allow the 9ers to draft him. * With 11 draft picks, I'd like to see JL & KS draft 2 OT's, another guard and a center in 2024 draft.
* Any thoughts on the 9ers keeping EDGE Chase Young, or let him
walk for a 3 Rd comp pick?
Geep,
DeleteIf Young can't get a big contract he might resign for a 1yr prove it contract but I doubt it. I think he will get a long term big money contract. I think a bigger question is will they resign Aiyuk or trade him for a top 15 pick?
OldCoach
DeleteYes, I agree! Young will get an offer that the 9ers can't match, not and pay Aiyuk.~$14 Mil. (Market value)! IMO, the 9ers should pay Aiyuk and take the 3rd round comp pick for Young. I don't see how the 9ers can pay Young $13.6 Mil. (market value) and keep Aiyuk.
NOTE: A list of the 9er UFA's for the 2024 season: The 9er's will need salary cap space to resign the players they want to keep.
* Also, Trading Aiyuk for a top 15 pick could result in drafting a replacement that's not as good as Aiyuk! That's how a HC
can find themselves unemployed....
Geep,
DeleteIf they were to trade Aiyuk for a top 15 pick I think they would use the pick for an OT. Then they would package their #2 and #! to move up a few spots to draft a WR.
The last post was me....I forgot to log in
ReplyDeleteIf C.Young over values his worth, I let him walk and grab the 3rd rd pick. I like your Oline picks early in the drafts. The only way the 49ers have long term sustainability is to build a top 5 Oline for the next decade. Two of three of CBS' NFL draft analyst have the 49ers drafting Oline in the 1st rd.
ReplyDeleteAES
DeleteEqually important, is a good O-Line keeps BP healthy! We've been lucky that his 2 shoulder "STINGERS" weren't something more serious and ended any chance of a SB run.
NOTE: Two of BP's int's were due to tipped balls! A good O-Lineman should put a shoulder in a D player 's gut, once he raised his arms to bat the football.
Haha! This is AES. Does anyone here know how I can keep my AES info on without having to sign in every time?
ReplyDeleteStay signed into your google and you shouldn't have to sign in everytime.
DeleteThanks Razor.
ReplyDeleteSave your money if you were planning to bet on the 9ers this week.Teams traveling cross country west to east cover the spread 29% of the time. Teams traveling cross country west to east after a Monday night game cover the spread only 20% of the time. Those kind of percentages give me pause about the 9ers winning straight up.
ReplyDelete