CALIFORNIA, USA — The Baltimore Ravens (11-3) visit the San Francisco 49ers (11-3) in a matchup of the top teams in each conference.
This is tied for the latest in the season that teams with sole possession of the best record in each conference played with it also happening in Week 16 of the 2005 season when Seattle beat Indianapolis.
The Niners have won six straight games to clinch a second straight NFC West title and can earn the top seed in the playoffs with wins in two of the final three games. The Ravens clinched the playoffs last week and are looking to wrap up the division title.
RAVENS PLAYER TO WATCH
QB Lamar Jackson has thrown for 3,105 yards this season, 22 shy of his career high set in his MVP season of 2019. He’s already set a career-high with 266 completions and equaled one with 401 pass attempts. His completion rate of 66.3 percent is also a career-best.
49ERS PLAYER TO WATCH
QB Brock Purdy has taken his game to another level during San Francisco's six-game winning streak, with a 138.1 passer rating, 17 TDs, two INTs and 11.0 yards per attempt. Purdy's six games this season with a passer rating of at least 130 are tied for the most ever in a season.
KEY MATCHUP
Ravens running game vs. 49ers defense. San Francisco has been stout for much of the season against the run, but got gashed last week against Arizona. The Niners allowed 234 yards rushing — their most in a game in more than six seasons — against the Cardinals and will have to be much better this week against Lamar Jackson and Co.
KEY INJURIES
The Ravens lost promising RB Keaton Mitchell to a season-ending knee injury last weekend. T Ronnie Stanley (concussion) and S Marcus Williams (groin) also were injured against Jacksonville.
The Niners have several players dealing with injuries that have their status in doubt this week, including DT Arik Armstead (foot, knee), DT Javon Hargrave (hamstring), CB Deommodore Lenior (bruised ribs), WR Jauan Jennings (concussion), DE Clelin Ferrell (ankle), TE Ross Dwelley (ankle), RB Elijah Mitchell (knee) and Oren Burks (knee). DT Kalia Davis (high ankle sprain) will miss the game.
SERIES NOTES
The Ravens won the only meeting of the series since Kyle Shanahan took over as coach in San Francisco in 2017 with a 20-17 victory in 2019.
The most famous meeting between the teams came in the Super Bowl following the 2012 season with Baltimore winning 34-31.
Watch more on ABC10
