Posted November 22, 2011 by ogbaysean in 2011 SF 49ers. 7 Comments

Here we go, folks. This one’s a biggie. A playoff preview of two powerhouse teams built to win in the postseason. Leave your Michael Bublé Christmas album at home because this one’s going to be a bloodbath.

This Thursday the 9-1 San Francisco 49ers travel East to face a gritty, physical football team in the 7-3 Baltimore Ravens. And it’s no coincidence that these teams are playing on Thanksgiving. Both sides pride themselves on accomplishing the following: establish the run on offense then stop the run and force turnovers on defense. A mashed potatoes and extra stuffing style of play, if you will. This is the blueprint for blue collar football. And you can bet your next food stamp that the Packers, Saints, Steelers and Patriots will have one eye on the turkey and one eye on the TV during this game.

Both squads are in 1st place and will be looking to continue their winning trends heading into the Holiday Season. The 49ers are 4-0 in the Eastern Time Zone and have had this match-up circled on their calendar for months. Analysts knew the Ravens would be a highly competitive football team this year but didn’t foresee the Niners to be the class of the NFC.

Have I mentioned that the head coaches are brothers? You’re probably living in a cave if you didn’t know that. In any case, the Harbaughcalypse is upon us! What more can you ask for on Thanksgiving? Perhaps a man soda to wash all this brother on brother carnage down? Let’s familiarize ourselves with our opponent.

Know Your Foe: The Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens can beat you so many different ways. On offense they start with Ray Rice, a bowling ball running back with home run hitting ability. The Niners will key on containing Ray Rizzle, for he is the key to their offense. Quarterback Shane Falco Joe Flacco has a few solid receiving options the Niners’ secondary must shadow at all times. The physical Anquan Boldin is a great possession receiver who runs angry after the catch. Form tackling and wrapping him up will be crucial. And the Ravens’ X-Factor is Torrey Smith. This rookie WR out of Maryland can take you deep on any play. Look for Tarrell Brown and Chris Culliver to have their hands full with this track meet assignment.

On defense, the Ravens boast superstars. This group is cut from the same fabric as the Steel Curtain and the 1985 Chicago Bears. It all starts up front with Haloti Ngata, a defensive tackle flat out stingy on the running game. This unsung hero carries the Raven defense. Behind him are two All Pro linebackers, one destined for the Hall of Fame. Ray Lewis, though questionable to play with a foot injury, and Terrell Suggs are perhaps the most frightening men in the NFL. I wouldn’t even want to play a game of checkers with them. They will steal your lunch money and take your girlfriend to Prom. Together, they are ruthless on disrupting the passer and tackling from sideline to sideline. Oh and how about we throw in one of the greatest free safeties to ever play behind them? Tremendous. Ed Reed roams the secondary as well as Ken Griffey, Jr. in his prime did center field. Ball-hawking abilities through the roof, speed of a gazelle and pound-for-pound the hardest hitter on defense, Ed Reed is a flat-out gamechanger.

But don’t run and hide just yet. The 49ers have some heavy hitters too: defensive end Justin Smith, linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman as well as free safety Dashon Goldson. These heavyweights will be looking to punch the Ravens in the mouth, early and often. Patrick Willis’ idol is Ray Lewis. He wears #52 just like him.

X-Factor: The 49ers Special Teams

The NFL Network is going to shove down your throat coverage about the Harbaugh Brothers and the championship caliber 49er/Raven defenses, but the X-Factor in this game will undoubtedly be the 49ers Special Teams. Punter Andy Lee is having another Pro Bowl season and can flip the field as well as anyone in the game right now. Field position will be huge in this bout, so Andy Lee will have to bring his big boy boot to this one. Kicker David Akers, though coming off of an ugly game last week against the Cardinals, is also having himself quite a year. Special Teamer Blake Costanzo is a lunatic, a man possessed and from the Jersey Shore (cabs are here!). He’s Johnny-on-the-spot on every kickoff, making plays all over the field.

Prediction: 23-16, 49ers victorious

I know, I know. Picking my own team is hardly credible. But what can I say? I like my squad. Alex Smith left a lot of plays on the field against the Cardinals so I think he’ll be a bit crisper on Thursday. Regardless, this game is going to be Rated R. Not a lot of scoring, a plethora of bone crunching hits and a well-played football game. Although the 49ers are 3.5 point underdogs, I think they will pull this one out. The Ravens have ugly losses to the Titans, Jaguars and Seahawks this year, so they can be beaten. The Niners will need Frank Gore to have a big night and for Alex Smith to once again manage the game. Michael Crabtree is coming along nicely and Vernon Davis will be a solid red zone threat.

Bonafide Guarantee: A really aggressive post-game handshake