49ers vs. Ravens: Baltimore's Win Proves They Are Primed for Super Bowl Run

The NFL is a league with peaks and valleys. Two weeks ago after a loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Baltimore Ravens looked like a team on a free fall. However after last night’s dominant performance against the San Francisco 49ers, they are on a climb that will carry them to a deep playoff run. 

When the Ravens were in their slump, going 2-2 from Week 7 through Week 10, they were dependent on Joe Flacco and the passing game. In those four games, Flacco’s passing attempts were 38, 41, 47 and 52. In three of those four games, Flacco’s passer rating was a low 61, 72 and 67.4. 

The losses had the offense’s game plan move away from what they do best in running the ball. Even though the offense ranks 23rd in rushing offense, they still have one of the best running backs in Ray Rice. The reason why this offense ranks so low in the running game is because of the sudden spike in the passing game. 

In that four-game stretch, the Ravens only went to Rice 8, 18, 18 and five times. It’s not shocking that the two losses were when Rice only touched the ball eight and five times. In those two losses, Rice only rushed for 28 and 27 yards. 

However, what we saw last night against the 49ers was a return to Rice getting the ball to make a balanced offensive attack. 

In a dominating win against the 49ers, the Ravens saw Flacco pass a moderate 23 times, while giving the ball to Rice 21 times. Not only did they split time between Rice and Flacco, but overall the game plan saw 35 rushing attempts to Flacco’s 23 passes. 

This return to the run even against a 49ers team that came into this game ranked No. 1 in rushing defense is a sign the offense is going back to being centered around Rice. 

Flacco is a good quarterback, but he will not win ball games by himself like an Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or Tom Brady. 

With the weather starting to make a turn for the worse with freezing temperatures and inclement conditions, it will make it nearly impossible to run a passing offense. As the Ravens’ dominating run game starts to take the bulk of the offense, this team will be extremely hard to beat in these last two months.

This should come as great news to Ravens fans, and horrible news to the rest of the AFC.

Follow @tjmcaloon