Not a lot of good came out of the 49ers 16-6 Thanksgiving night loss in Baltimore.
The offensive line was overpowered. The running game was shut down. The defense didn’t record a sack or force a turnover.
Worst of all, the Ravens gave future 49ers opponents a blueprint of how to beat them: Fill the box, send pressure, blitz!
The Ravens, led by All-Pro linebacker Terrell Suggs, hit Alex Smith a season-high 12 times and sacked him nine times. Smith had been sacked only 21 times in the previous 10 games this season. The Ravens caused all that havoc without their defensive leader Ray Lewis, who missed his second straight game with a toe injury.
Smith was never able to get comfortable, tallying his lowest passing yardage total since Week 6. Frank Gore only managed 39 yards, his lowest total of the season, and was called for a questionable chop block that negated a 75-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the 49ers after the game, “The way they’re built, it’s pretty hard to figure out a way to beat them.”
Well, John, so far, you’ve drawn up the best game plan to do just that.
Last modified November 26, 2011 1:37 am
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