OWINGS MILLS — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has run roughshod over the team’s NFC opponents over his six-year career.
He’ll be looking to continue that domination Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers.
Jackson has gone 19-1 against NFL opponents with the only loss coming against the New York Giants last year.
When asked whether there’s an adjustment period for teams that don’t regularly see Jackson and the team’s style of offense, Ravens coach John Harbaugh didn’t have a clear answer.
“That would be a good question for the teams over there,” he said. “But it’s a good record. I hope it’s 20-1 after this game.”
The Ravens face a huge challenge against the 49ers and are 5-point underdogs.
However, the Ravens have already beaten three other NFC West opponents this season — the Cardinals (31-24), Seahawks (37-3) and Rams (37-31, OT) — by a combined score of 105-58.
Jackson also didn’t offer an explanation as to why he’s so successful against the NFC.
“I don’t know. I can’t tell you how [NFC teams] are feeling about playing against us,” Jackson said. “I’m not in their locker room. Hopefully, our style just keeps working for us, if anything.”
The 49ers are the toughest team the Ravens will play this season. San Francisco is averaging 402.6 yards and 30.4 points per game.
The 49ers have playmakers all over the field.
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy is having an MVP-caliber season, ranked second in the league with 3,795 yards passing with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions. 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey leads the NFL with 1,292 yards rushing with 13 touchdowns.
Defensively, the 49ers are ranked ninth in the NFL allowing 310.1 yards per game.
Nonetheless, the Ravens are the best team in the AFC and are going into the game with confidence.
“We feel like we match up well against anybody, basically, and we like our players a lot,” Harbaugh said. “We think we have really excellent players, the highest-level players. It’s going to be hard for us not to match up well.
“It’s going to be hard to outmatch us – I don’t care who you are. So, we like our matchups, I’m sure they like [theirs], and we’re going to play on Monday night.”
