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Football fans have three games to unwrap on Christmas Day in Week 16 and the NFL saved the best for last with a clash between conference leaders. With fantasy football league playoffs well underway, the contest featured in this article could certainly have some serious impact on determining league champions. Below you can read our matchups analysis article for the Ravens vs. 49ers game to help make any fantasy lineup decisions for both season-long and DFS.
This matchup has all the trappings of a classic, with two of the NFL's best teams set to square off as the finale of a Christmas tripleheader. Baltimore and San Francisco sport identical 11-3 records, and many feel this could be a Super Bowl preview.
Read our fantasy football breakdowns for these games -- the recommended starts, sits, and matchups we love heading into the Week 16 matchups. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Spread: 49ers -6.0
Implied Total: 49ers (26.25) vs. Ravens (20.75)
Pace: 49ers (32nd) vs. Ravens (28th)
49ers Off. DVOA: 70.5% Pass (1st), 17.3% Rush (3rd)
Ravens Off. DVOA: 22.7% Pass (13th), 25.5% Rush (1st)
49ers Def. DVOA: -13.2% Pass (4th), -7.9% Rush (18th)
Ravens Def. DVOA: -21.2% Pass (2nd), -14.6% Rush (8th)
Weather: Partly cloudy with patchy fog and temperatures around 55 degrees.
Matchups We Love
Christian McCaffrey (RB, SF)
If only McCaffrey could play Arizona every week. While twice a year is the limit, it's fantastic every time it happens. This week, we get the battle of arguably the two best teams in the NFL. Baltimore is an amazing defense, but McCaffrey is immune to matchups.
HISTORIC: In #49ers franchise history, just two players have scored 20 or more touchdowns in a single season.
-1987 Jerry Rice
-2023 Christian McCaffrey🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/0qSKxUj6RK
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 17, 2023
49ers WRs
Similar to McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel has been destroying defenses and scoring like crazy with seven touchdowns in the past three weeks. The question is more about Brandon Aiyuk, who has taken a backseat to Samuel. Fortunately, the Ravens are one of the few teams capable of competing with the 49ers, meaning they'll need to air out this week and Aiyuk warrants a spot in the top 20.
Lamar Jackson (QB, BAL)
Jackson was a tactician against the Jaguars, meticulously driving his team down the field while chewing up a ton of time. That approach will be more difficult against San Francisco, but we do know they'll need to rely on him a lot if they're going to win.
Matchups We Hate
Ravens RBs
Baltimore suffered another massive blow to their squad with the loss of Keaton Mitchell to a season-ending injury. It takes away that speed element of their offense, which they lack otherwise. It does open the door for Gus Edwards, who has a knack for falling into the end zone, and Justice Hill, who they already deployed in passing downs. Given the potential game script, Hill gets the lean here as a flex option, but neither is particularly intriguing given the matchup.
According to head coach Jim Harbaugh, Keaton Mitchell is out for the rest of the season with a “significant” knee injury.
He called it “heartbreaking.”
Also added veteran back Melvin Gordon will be added to the 53-man roster from the practice squad.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 18, 2023
Other Matchups
Brock Purdy (QB, SF)
Facing Baltimore and their elite defense will be a great test for Purdy, but all signs are that he's ready for it. He leads the league in nearly every passing category and has the best weapons in the NFL. He's also been a monster over their six-game winning streak. The range of outcomes is admittedly higher this week, but he's still in the top 10.
George Kittle (TE, SF)
Kittle still made his usual big play for 35 yards but also fell behind McCaffrey and Samuel. The Ravens have given up the ninth-most points to the tight end position over the last six weeks, so Kittle stays in the top 10.
Isaiah Likely (TE, BAL)
Likely made an extraordinary catch between two defenders and later scored. Likely has now delivered elite tight end numbers over the past two weeks, locking him into the top 12 despite a tougher matchup.
Lamar Jackson and Isaiah Likely are COOKING🧑🍳 #RavensFlockpic.twitter.com/wlNy0ULieZ
— Ravens Flock (@RavensFlock_App) December 18, 2023
Ravens WRs
Neither Odell Beckham Jr. nor Zay Flowers were necessary for them to win. They pounded the rock 42 times and dominated the time of possession. Rashod Bateman produced more yards than either of those two, but taking a shot on Flowers or Beckham would be the wiser move. They should bounce back in a more competitive contest with Flowers as the favorite in the top 36 and Beckham not far behind.
Notable Injuries
Elijah Mitchell (knee) - GTD
Zay Flowers (foot) - Questionable/Probable
Jauan Jennings (concussion) - OUT
Keaton Mitchell (knee) - OUT/IR
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