The games’ individual praises for Week 16 Ravens vs. 49ers
MVP — QB Lamar Jackson
An utterly incredible performance from Jackson, who dominated the game going 23-of-35 for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns, paired with another six carries for 46 yards. Jackson did everything tonight, surging this team to a win. Rather than Jackson being a superhero in spite of the team, he did it in conjunction with the Ravens offense playing well and defense feeding them good field position. But Jackson’s magic shined on the biggest spotlight of this game of the year. He’s the best player in football right now and has cemented himself in the League MVP conversation as the favorite.
Winners
Head Coach John Harbaugh — Whatever was in those meetings to fire the players up, worked. Whatever he helped to scheme up with the coordinators, worked. This is how you go into a highly challenging game against the best opponent in the NFL and show out. What a top-to-bottom performance for this team. Their best game yet.
Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald — Yeah… see ya, Mike. At this rate, he could be hired by the end of the regular season. Top-tier game plan against superstars across the 49ers offense. Five interceptions. That was something else tonight.
Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken — Apparently, Nick Bosa and Chase Young played tonight. You wouldn’t know it from the stat sheet, but they did. What on Earth? Perfect scheming.
Offensive Line — Like I said, there was apparently a fearsome pass rush ready to hunt on the Ravens’ struggling offensive tackles. But that wasn’t the case on Monday when they stonewalled the 49ers all game long.
DB Kyle Hamilton — The second-year safety is the Ravens’ best defensive player. I’m ready to put a stamp on it. He is the magic that turns a great unit into what we see week-in and week-out. He’s a unicorn. The red-zone interception after a challenging opening series for the defense to saved the Ravens from a strikingly early touchdown deficit.
Then, not a quarter later, Hamilton snags his second of the game after getting chopped to the ground on a block and getting back up to continue the play.
CB Brandon Stephens — Got vertical to tip the Brock Purdy pass and it turned into an interception for Marlon Humphrey. His vertical ability is something special. So too has been his breakout season.
CB Marlon Humphrey — A big-time pick on Purdy to keep the 49ers offense off the field. Then, to bat another ball that was picked by Hamilton was incredible. The Ravens defense were hunters on Monday.
DL Brent Urban — The veteran was big in the pass rush game and generated two sacks and big-time pressure on Purdy.
OLB Jadeveon Clowney — Giving the 49ers hell on prime time? That’s not new for Clowney, who loves to do so.
WR Zay Flowers — Some may not like him being called a star on account of his numbers, but he as a rookie has rapidly become the new safety blanket with the absence of tight end Mark Andrews. He ended the night with 13 targets, nine receptions, 72 yards and one receiving touchdown.
WR Nelson Agholor — The veteran has a real rapport with Jackson in scramble drills. It’s something he’s special with and he’s shared about working on. The touchdown reception was representative of that.
K Justin Tucker — Knocked through four field goals to keep the distance between the Ravens and 49ers.
RB Gus Edwards — Not a lot of work for the Bus but he still impacted the game with a hammering rushing TD (his 12th of the season) and a big 39-yard catch and run to get the Ravens near the end zone, where they ultimately scored. Also salted away the game.
S Marcus Williams — Handled business throughout the contest and got the games fifth interception of the night. Great to see Williams get back into form.
ILB Patrick Queen — A fantastic interception on Purdy that turned into another touchdown on the night. He is going to get PAID this offseason.
OLB Kyle Van Noy — A nice lil sack for the vet.
Losers
NFL Official — Reached a new low tonight as they impacted the game physically, tripping up Lamar Jackson and in turn, creating a safety to open the games scoring. What a joke.
MVP Talk — With each play, the broadcast and social media alike wanted to solve the MVP talk. If Purdy made a good play, he deserves the MVP. When he was intercepted, he lost it. When Jackson made a good play, he won it. When Christian McCaffrey broke a big run, he won the award. Can we chill?