For weeks, the prevailing narrative surrounding the San Francisco 49ers painted them as an unrivaled force in the National Football League.
With not one but two legitimate MVP candidates and convincing victories over Philadelphia (42-19) and Dallas (42-10), it seemed the Niners were destined for their sixth Super Bowl title. However, a critical oversight in this perspective emerged—we failed to acknowledge the presence of a formidable AFC team that could be considered the Niners’ closest league counterpart.
On Christmas Day, the Baltimore Ravens faced off against San Francisco with an identical record, a string of impressive wins against playoff-caliber teams such as Detroit (38-6), Seattle (37-3), and Jacksonville (23-7), and their own MVP candidate in quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Jackson’s performance in the Ravens’ 33-19 victory over the 49ers may have solidified his claim to the MVP award, as even 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa acknowledged the quarterback’s noteworthy adjustments during the game.
Nick Bosa commented on Jackson’s altered tendencies, noting a midseason shift from waiting more in the pocket to actively seeking escape routes—an adjustment that Bosa found “very impressive.”
Despite Lamar Jackson’s statistics this season not reaching the astronomical levels of his 2019 MVP campaign, there’s a prevailing sense that he has evolved into a more complete, consistent, and commanding quarterback. This transformation was evident on Christmas night when Jackson completed 23 of 35 passes for 252 yards, threw two touchdowns, rushed seven times for 45 yards, and faced only two sacks from a formidable Niners defense known for pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
The narrative has now pivoted, with Baltimore establishing itself as a frontrunner, creating distance from other contenders. Meanwhile, the 49ers retain control of their destiny in the NFC. Winning their remaining games would secure them the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs, dictating that the road to the Super Bowl passes through the Bay Area. However, the prospect of facing the Ravens in Las Vegas adds an intriguing layer to the unfolding story.
As narratives evolve, contenders falter, and the journey progresses towards Las Vegas, the uncertainties of who will emerge as the ultimate contenders only intensify.
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