How to watch 49ers vs Ravens Christmas Night: TV Channel, start time

Dec 24, 2023, 8:57 PM | Updated: 8:58 pm

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 01: Marcell Harris #36 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with Fred Warner #54 after a play against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The San Francisco 49ers are atop the NFL at the moment, thanks to a six-game win streak since the team’s Bye Week. But to make it seven straight, they’ll need to beat the AFC-best Baltimore Ravens on Christmas, a potential pinnacle to the 2023 NFL season.

The 49ers play host to the Ravens Week 16, concluding a holiday trio of games, under the lights of Levi’s Stadium. While the Red & Gold have blown out much of the competition, their next foe is one known to cause a pain in their sides.

Could Monday Night be another stepping stone for the 49ers, or will the visitors capitalize on a banged-up roster?

San Francisco last beat the Arizona Cardinals on the road, 45-29, in Week 15. Quarterback Brock Purdy was instrumental, throwing for four touchdowns in his return home. The defense also chipped in with a defensive score by cornerback Charvarius Ward in the first quarter.

Meanwhile, Baltimore is currently on a four-game win streak, beating the Jacksonville Jaguars, 23-7, most recently. QB Lamar Jackson is also in the hunt for MVP, throwing for 3,105 passing yards, 17 TDs and seven INTs. He also has 741 yards on the ground. The Ravens are also sound defensively, ranked near the top in most metrics.

Ravens or 49ers – which defense is better? pic.twitter.com/EZiR5YrdE3

— PFF (@PFF) December 22, 2023

The 49ers and Ravens have a short, but tense rivalry. The two teams last played in 2019, with the latter winning at home, 20-17. Baltimore has a 5-2 record over San Francisco all-time, including Super Bowl XLVII over 10 years ago.

SF is 0-1 on Christmas all-time, playing on the holiday only once prior. They suffered a 10-7 loss to the Houston Oilers in 1993.

The Red & Gold may be the favorites on paper but will be missing a few key members Monday, including defensive tackle Arik Armstead (foot, knee) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle). Those players aren’t end-all-be-all for the 49ers, but make them ever more vulnerable in Week 16.

That’s also due to Jackson and his ability to make magic happen at any time.

Always a battle vs Baltimore.

Catch #BALvsSF on @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/R6iJJFXrqn

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 21, 2023

“I think just his ability to make guys miss in space. He’s very elusive. And to be honest, I think, he’s playing so much better from a standpoint of the passing game as well, which I think creates other elements of his ability to be able to scramble when things aren’t there,” 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks said Friday. “So, he’s really playing good football, not turning the ball over which is a key for them. We’ve got to do a much better job than we did last week from a standpoint of tracking the ball carrier and most importantly, tackling.”