Although getting there will be difficult, the 49ers would love to see the Ravens in the Super Bowl.
The 49er’s path to Super Bowl LVIII would be even more challenging than the actual game.
The 49ers rested the Ravens game on Wednesday morning, meticulously going over tape with head coach Kyle Shanahan as per customary. If everything goes as planned, their season won’t be defined in the slightest by the lopsided defeat.
Then they started implementing a game plan against the Washington Commanders, who, at 4-11 and with coach Ron Rivera already out of the picture, might define another disappointing season if they upset the NFC’s top seed.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves; the Los Angeles Rams, the hottest club in the conference, are waiting for us in the regular season finale at Levi’s Stadium.
Linebacker Fred Warner stated, “We know we need to win these next two games to get where we’re trying to go.” It turns out that this game is everything in the end. If you lose the first game, winning the next one is meaningless.
Christmas night’s 33-19 loss to Baltimore left an extremely narrow margin of error.The 49ers (11-4) have the potential to drop one game and maintain their top ranking, but it seems unlikely given that Philadelphia (11-4) plays Arizona (3-12) and the New York Giants (5-10) in their next two games. Depending on what happens with the Eagles, Detroit (11-4) may potentially be vying for No. 1 in the event that the 49ers lose.
The 49ers gained an understanding of football’s intricacies and subtleties versus Baltimore, which resulted in five interceptions and ten penalties totaling 102 yards. It had nothing to do with putting their season on autopilot after six straight victories, being overconfident, or taking anything for granted.
Edge rusher Nick Bosa stated, “I believe Kyle did a great excellent job today of putting it to bed and we’re moving on. We were so fired up for an opportunity to show the world how terrific we are. There are many positive aspects to having a team like this, including our ability to recover from setbacks and our collective maturity. I believe it might work to our advantage in the future.
PurdyWhen you have four picks and no touchdowns, especially with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, I know it’s difficult,” Shanahan remarked. “However, you discuss with him the reasons behind the events and what transpired; given the nature of the game, it shouldn’t be too difficult for him to recover from and resume work this week.”
The NFL is that. Things take place.After the game, the Ravens gloated about their victory, and rightfully so. The trash talk goes to the winner. Without a doubt, though, the 49ers would love nothing more than to play Baltimore again in Super Bowl LVIII on February 11 at Allegiant Stadium.
It’s not as though Ray Lewis and the 2000 Ravens stopped the 49ers cold. Or even the Ravens from 2012, who defeated the 49ers in New Orleans during Super Bowl XLVII.
The 49ers gained 231 yards on 27 plays in the first half alone on Monday night, averaging 8.6 yards per snap. And that pass offense out of Baltimore that was said to be updated? Apart from Lamar Jackson’s ability to create with his legs to locate receivers or run for yardage, it wasn’t really outstanding. Although Jackson was excellent and had a chance to earn his second MVP, the offense appeared unchanged.
Thanks in part to turnovers, Baltimore managed six red zone possessions but only managed to score on half of them. In the closing minutes of the game, the 49ers miraculously had an opportunity to tie the score.
For the 49ers, it was all about interceptions and errors. They would have won if they had cut the number of penalties in half and the turnovers to two.
The more difficult task will be getting there in the first place than any prospective Super Bowl rematch with the Ravens. Regarding left tackle Trent Williams, who exited the game due to a groin issue, things seemed promising on Wednesday. Aaron Banks, the left guard, is questionable due to a recurrence of turf toe.
If Banks or Williams are unable to play, the offensive line’s composition may undergo a significant overhaul or only a few small adjustments. Over the remainder of this week and the following week, that will unfold. Sebastian Joseph-Day, a new defensive tackle, was brought in to assist cover for Arik Armstead, who missed the last three games due to a foot injury.
Additionally, Logan Ryan, the 49ers’ third starting strong safety, may not be available. Isaiah Oliver?) if rookie Ji’Ayir Brown is placed on injured reserve along with Talanoa Hufanga due to a badly sprained knee.
But what the Ravens gave the 49ers was a serious dose of perspective, not the appearance and atmosphere of a club on its way to the end of the ropes.
“You learn from your experiences and I think it emphasizes the fact that we need to stay in the moment and not look at the one seed or do we have to win this many games,” Bosa said. “I don’t think we needed a wakeup call,” Bosa said. “In the NFL, things can look much better week in and week out, but they can also go south really quickly.”
The common belief was that the 49ers had lost their chance to challenge Philadelphia for the top seed after they suffered three straight losses in Weeks 6 through 8. After that, they defeated the Eagles handily in Philadelphia in Week 13 to catch up and pass them.
Since the season is finished and the Christmas Night Debacle was nothing like that, the largest losses are those that don’t contain a movie review. So, in an attempt to feel better, the 49ers took their medication.
Warner thinks he knows what to do. One way to look at it is to think that everything is fine, it will stay fine, and the Ravens loss was just a minor inconvenience. Looking in the mirror is the alternative.
“You look at it hard and you’re honest with yourself in a loss, but you always want to get better from a win than a loss and find a way to win,” Warner said. “You move on after making the necessary corrections.”
The 49ers, who have lost two NFC title games and the Super Bowl in the last four years, will only too well understand how difficult it will be to move forward during the next six weeks.
But don’t expect the 49ers to be afraid if they travel to Las Vegas and play the Ravens. Rather, they will be lying in wait and leaving the penalties and turnovers at home.
The tale of their season will be revealed there, as achieving that goal first will be the true achievement.
