WASHINGTON (AFP) — A potential Super Bowl preview between the National Football League’s top two teams this season, the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, headlines an extended Christmas holiday slate with playoff berths also at stake.
Baltimore will visit San Francisco to cap a Christmas Monday triple-header with each conference leader at 11-3 and on pace for a first-round bye and home-field advantage until Super Bowl 58 on 11 February in Las Vegas.
“It’ll probably be the game of the year. I’m excited to be part of it,” Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey said.
“If this could be a rematch of the Super Bowl I would love it. That would mean we took care of business and got there. But for right now it’s just good to have a very good challenge on Monday. We’re just really excited for that.”
The rivals boast the NFL’s longest active win streaks, the 49ers with six in a row and Baltimore with four consecutive victories, but the Ravens are oddsmakers’ underdogs, a snub that irks players.
“We feel a little disrespected by that,” Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said.
“I feel like we’re the best team in the league and we have an opportunity in front of the country to show it.”
Baltimore’s run-pass threat quarterback Lamar Jackson takes inspiration from seeing the 49ers favored.
“I like being the underdog. I believe we play better when we’re doubted,” said Jackson, who played down Super Bowl hype.
“Super Bowl is in February. We’re in December,” Jackson said.
“We have to focus on Monday night. I’m not worried about what people are saying.”
The Ravens allow the NFL’s fewest points and second-fewest yards and top the league in quarterback sacks while 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy leads the NFL with 29 touchdown passes and ranks second in passing yardage with 3,795.
“He’s playing at a very high level, leading a very high-level offense to great success,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said.
“He sees things. He gets the ball out quick. He can make every throw.”
San Francisco also boasts NFL rushing leader Christian McCaffrey, who has run for 1,292 yards and 13 touchdowns.
“Everybody knows where we want to be and we know each week you have to bring your best ball,” McCaffrey said.
“We’re going to get everyone’s best shot, so the standard has got to continue to rise.”
Purdy and Jackson are among the top contenders for NFL Most Valuable Player.
“I heard he’s the MVP frontrunner, but I know my real MVP front-runner is in this locker room,” Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike said of Purdy and Jackson.
“(Purdy) has a good team. He’s doing good things. But he hasn’t seen us yet.”
