Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers: Care Which Team Wins?

The vaunted Thanksgiving game between teams coached by brothers—for the first time in NFL history—has developed into a stellar conflict that will be on national TV. 

All the pundits are calling the game. Jim Harbaugh and John Harbaugh will face off on Thanksgiving night in Baltimore.

Here’s how I see it.

First, it was not originally my most anticipated game of the season.

The 49ers were a team with a new coach. It had new players at key positions.

Some familiar players at key positions had not endeared themselves to the fans. Transitions are always fraught with problems.

The 49ers had suspicious assets.

The had a much-maligned quarterback, a receiver with a diva reputation—earned or not—a star end and a star defensive back. It had no worthy corner backs and an offensive line that was suspect at best.

Several fan-favorite players were traded away.

The team had no cohesion or morale during the previous season where the coach was fired before the season ended. It looked, to be frank, that the 2011 season would be a rebuilding season with no success expected before 2012.  

So, this game was not even on my radar before the first kickoff of the season.

But Jim Harbaugh and his staff brought the 49ers together with talent, wit, guile and personality. The result is a 9-1 record and media attention blaring on the red and gold.

So this surprising development is at hand. The game once designed as a cute holiday stunt by the NFL schedulers is now a premier conflict between two powerhouses. 

The Turkey Bowl is now the Harbaugh Bowl. It may be the most-watched regular season game in NFL history.

A lot can be said for both teams.

Jim has the young and confident team. John has the experienced and confident team.

Jim has a fresh new outlook and team spirit. John has a team tested in a tough environment.

If the 49ers get the running game going, it will be a long day for the Ravens.

If the Ravens get the passing game going, it will be a long day for the 49ers.

If turnovers decide this game, the 49ers will probably come out on top.

If turnovers do not decide this game, the Ravens will probably come out on top.

A lot of ifs, and ifs are what make for a great competition. Predictions do not, in the end, matter one whit.

The game record itself will always be the only thing that matters.

It may very well be the best and most enjoyable game to watch this season, playoffs be damned and sibling rivalries aside.

Either way, the Harbaugh brothers will have grist for Thanksgiving stories long into their rocking chair days.

And, if the fans survive the emotional roller coaster promised by this game, they will remember it for the rest of their lives.

I can’t wait.