The San Francisco 49ers are the best team in the NFL not named the Baltimore Ravens. That’s what we learned in this epic game:
The Baltimore Ravens got a 20-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The end of this game was about as dramatic as any game in recent memory. The Ravens stopped the San Francisco 49ers on a fourth down conversion attempt. The Ravens got the ball and knew that the offense could win the game with one drive. The Ravens took their time and set up a game winning field goal for Justin Tucker. When the field goal was made, there was no time left on the clock and the Ravens got their most impressive win.
The Ravens just beat the best team on their schedule. The one thing we absolutely learned in this game was that the Ravens and 49ers are the best two teams in football. There is no debate to be had about it. The 49ers gave Lamar Jackson his only challenge since the Ravens sneaked out of Pittsburgh with the first win of this historic win streak. The Ravens have won eight straight games.
Jackson had the most opposition he saw the entire season. He only had 105 yards through the air. Jackson added 100 yards on the ground and he scored a touchdown with his arm and his legs. So many things seemed to go the 49ers way. The weather impacted the game for both teams. It was a heavy weight fight. It was an epic battle.
The story of this game could have been how the NFL officials didn’t do the Ravens any favors. The 49ers got a field goal after a very questionable pass interference call against Marlon Humphrey. Instead of a fourth down stop, the Ravens gave up points. Then there was no pass interference penalty against the 49ers on a play where the 49ers probably should have been called for it. John Harbaugh challenged, it looked obvious, the play stood as called.
In the end the Ravens won a tough contest. Both teams had eight possessions. Both teams had over 170 total rushing yards. These teams couldn’t have been more evenly matched. This was the only opponent that has gone toe to toe with the Ravens and made it an absolute battle, in almost two full months.
This was the best game of the season. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Ravens and 49ers get a rematch in the Super Bowl. These two teams are that good. This was an epic game that nobody in Baltimore or San Francisco will ever forget.