RECAP: Baltimore Ravens beat San Francisco 49ers in Christmas showdown

Lamar Jackson may be MVP this season, but Mike Macdonald and his unit were the MVP of Monday night. The team trounced the 49ers 33-19.

If this is the most anticipated regular season game in Ravens history, then the start of the third quarter has to rate as one of the most impressive in team history. The Ravens' defense forced the 49ers to punt on 3-and-out. A long punt return plus a San Francisco late hit put the Ravens in scoring territory. Three plays later, Lamar Jackson made a touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor for a 23-12 Ravens lead. On San Francisco's ensuing possession, Patrick Queen got the Ravens' FOURTH interception.

Jackson needed one play to connect with Zay Flowers on a touchdown pass for a 30-12 Baltimore lead. There were two touchdowns in 18 seconds of clock time. Incredible.

The Ravens' defense forced a quick three-and-out to open the second half to further frustrate what is one of the best offenses in the NFL. A stellar punt return by Tylan Wallace received an additional 15 yards when he was hit out of bounds by the 49ers punter who was penalized. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens immediately struck with a short toss to Gus Edwards that turned into a 39-yard gain and followed by a Jackson touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor. The Ravens are doing it all: offense, defense, and special teams and lead the 49ers 23-12 early in the 3rd quarter in Santa Clara. Impressive! 

The Ravens' defense is the story of the first half in stopping the potent 49ers offense with three interceptions—two by Kyle Hamilton.  It's the most interceptions thrown in a game by San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy (and it's only halftime).

San Francisco has moved the ball more efficiently than the Ravens and outgained them, but the turnovers have tilted the game in the Ravens favor. Lamar Jackson has faced considerable pressure and while he has escaped multiple times to make some of his signature throws on the run. He's also been hurried into incompletions and sacked once for a five-yard loss. A classic Lamar escape on a wild zig-zag scramble for 31 yards just before halftime set up a Justin Tucker field goal to cap the first half scoring.

The Ravens have to be feeling good up by four on the road, but the Baltimore's defense will have to keep playing at a high level to close out a win.

The Ravens' defense is making the biggest difference in the game so far.  Two interceptions were made by Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey off Brandon Stephens tipped pass.

The second interception was followed by a touchdown drive of 53 yards on eleven plays, capped with a Gus Edwards 1-yard scoring run. The Ravens are standing up well to the 49ers so far. Baltimore leads 10-5 in the second quarter.

San Francisco's first two drives ended at the Ravens' 15 and 21 yard lines. The drives led to a total of five points for the 49ers on a safety (after Baltimore Ravens interception) and a field goal. 

That's a "win" for the Ravens considering San Francisco's typical high production when in the red zone.  

If the Ravens game at San Francisco is a "heavyweight fight," (which it's billed as), then both teams have landed early punches. San Francisco struck first with a Brock Purdy pass to tight end George Kittle for 58 yards deep into Ravens territory, but Baltimore's defense responded with a key interception by Kyle Hamilton who picked off a potential touchdown pass in the endzone.

On the Ravens' ensuing possession, Lamar Jackson tripped over an official while scrambling to avoid a sack and Jackson's errant pass from the endzone was ruled intentional grounding which is a safety—and two points for the Niners. It's a wild start to the game!