Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (97) rushes the quarterback in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Week 5: Baltimore Ravens @ San Francisco 49ers
When: Sunday, 10/18/2015 at 4:25 p.m.
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Live Stream: NFL.com
Radio: 98 Rock, Westwood One
Radio Crew: Gerry Sandusky, Stan White, Qadry Ismail
TV: CBS
TV Crew: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots
Preview: If the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers have one thing in common, it’s that neither of these teams could be in a much worse position after the first five games of the 2015 NFL season. Both teams sport a 1-4 record, yet both got there is completely different ways.
The Ravens have blown a total of four 4th quarter leads across their four losses, the latest resulting in an overtime loss at home to the Browns for the first time since 2007. Late game collapses have become a theme for the 2015 Ravens, who have struggled against the pass in particular.
This from a team many considered to be Super Bowl favorites one year after losing by only four points to the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. It’s safe to say that not only have those expectations been tempered, but it will take a miracle turnaround for this team to even make the playoffs.
Meanwhile, no one expected much from the 49ers this season after they suffered an unprecedented mass exodus of players and coaches over the offseason. Things have arguably been even worse than imagined as once promising quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been a total train wreck at the position.
But after losing by scores of 43-18, 47-7, and 17-3 in weeks 2, 3, and 4, the 9ers almost pulled off a win in MetLife stadium against the Giants this past week. The team resembled a competitive squad against a good defense in a hostile environment, giving them some hope for the future.
The 49ers have also been much better at home than on the road this season, particularly on defense. In two home stints, they have given up only 20 points versus 120 in three road games.
It’s tough to predict which of these two ailing teams will manage to “win” this week given both of their struggles. But I still have faith that the Ravens can turn things around a bit and hold onto a late game lead. The 49ers, playing feisty last week, will surely put that faith to the test on Sunday.
Betting line: Ravens -3 -10, 49ers 43 1/2 -10
Prediction: Ravens 23, 49ers 20
Next: Ravens week 5 stock report
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