Regular-season matchups don’t get much bigger than this. A potential Super Bowl preview pits the AFC-best Baltimore Ravens against the NFC-best San Francisco 49ers. Both teams sit atop their conference standings and will look to maintain control of their paths to a No. 1 seed and first-round bye in the playoffs.
The Christmas night capper has high stakes for the MVP race as well with not two, but three legitimate MVP candidates. Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey are busy making each other’s public MVP case. Lamar Jackson, meanwhile, is looking to zero in on a second career MVP trophy. Monday’s result will go a long way in determining who wins the hardware
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Early results: Raiders defense leads upset of Chiefs | Eagles hang on vs. Giants
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Troy Aikman sounds especially offended over the description of Brock Purdy as a “system quarterback.”
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Levi’s Stadium on December 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The #49ers are averaging an NFL-best 6.8 yards per play. The #Ravens are allowing 4.4 yards per play, fewest in the league.
Ravens open with a 3-and-out. A 2-yard run and two incompletions.
Ravens open the game with a Tylan Wallace return to the 31. Here we go.
The Ravens have the ball first. Game on.
That’s the game. The Giants had a chance, but Tyrod Taylor’s throw in the end zone as time expired was picked off by Kelee Ringo. Eagles hold on for a 33-25 win.
The Giants have a shot. They hold on third down to force a Jake Elliott field-goal attempt. Eagles lead, 33-25 after Elliott connects from 43 yards. Giants will get the ball back trailing, 33-25.
This game’s not over. Tyrod Taylor hits Darius Slayton for a 69-yard touchdown to cut Philadelphia’s lead to 30-25. The Giants took 42 seconds to score. Eagles get the ball back with 5:22 remaining.
The Eagles tacked on a field goal to extend their lead to 30-27 with 6:04 remaining.
The Giants roll the dice and lose. They choose to pass on fourth-and-1 at the Philadelphia 42-yard line. Tyrod Taylor’s pass bounces off Wan’Dale Robinson’s hands, and the Giants turn it over on downs. The contested pass was short of the sticks, and probably wouldn’t have led to a first down if complete.
Big answer by the Eagles.
Jalen Hurts finds A.J. Brown for 42 yards to convert on third-and-20, setting up a 5-yard D’Andre Swift touchdown run. Eagles lead 27-18 after the 75-yard drive.
Adoree Jackson has a pick 6 off Jalen Hurts, and the Giants are back in this thing. Eagles lead, 20-18 after the Giants tacked on a two-point conversion on top of Jackson’s touchdown. Third quarter is almost over.
Star Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was shaken up after a hit by Adoree’ Jackson following an incomplete pass, but walked off the field under his own power.
And here are the Ravens’ inactives against the 49ers.
Here are the 49ers’ inactives against the Ravens, headlined by WR Jauan Jennings, RB Elijah Mitchell and DL Arik Armstead.
Is there a competitive game brewing in Philadelphia?
The Giants stop the Eagles on third down and get the ball back down 10 points with 12:03 left in the third quarter.
