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San Francisco has ended their four game losing streak and win their second game at home in a good battle between the former Super Bowl participants.
The Ravens are now a franchise worst 1-5, and it looks like all playoff hopes are gone for the struggling team.
Kaepernick continued his strong play of late, completing 16 of 27 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns. Anquan Boldin had five catches for 102 yards, Torrey Smith had three catches for 96 yards and a touchdown and Bruce Miller had three catches for 89 yards.
The other touchdown was caught by Quinton Patton. Carlos Hyde’s ineffectiveness (21 carries, 55 yards) led many, myself included, to think that we would see some Hayne Plane action; alas, it was not to be.
The Aussie’s lone playmaking appearance in the game was on a punt return, which he returned for four yards and subsequently fumbled. Ouch. Maybe he’ll score a touchdown next game?
For the Ravens, Joe Flacco played the role of gunslinger to mixed results. Completing 33 of 53 passes, he threw for 343 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Justin Forsett was better than Hyde, but similarly inefficient (17 carries, 62 yards).
Steve Smith proved himself to still be one of the premier receivers in the game at 36 years old, catching seven passes for 137 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to turn his team around and get them the win. The other touchdown was caught by Kamar Aiken.
A good win for the 49ers, and this could be the impetus to turn their season around; certainly if Kaepernick keeps playing like he is, and we see an explosive play or two from Hayne, San Francisco could string a few more of these together.
The Ravens came up short by only a few points, a growing trend for their season so far, and they’ll have to go back to the drawing board as they really need some spark injected into their offence in the fourth quarter of games if they’re going to win more than a handful of outings this year.
Final Score:
49ers – 25
Ravens – 20
This mid-season match-up sees the San Francisco 49ers take on the Baltimore Ravens at home, as both teams are 1-4 and looking to turn their seasons around. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:25am AEDT.
Colin Kaepernick has only thrown for 989 yards and is averaging 6.5 yards per pass attempt. His five interceptions are tied-fourth, while his 16 sacks are third. To his credit, Peyton Manning is also only averaging 6.5 yards per pass attempt, but that number needs to rise exponentially if the 49ers are going to win against Baltimore.
Carlos Hyde has looked good when he’s been called upon, though – the running back has put together 375 yards through five games for a nice 4.5 yard per carry average. The only thing lacking is explosiveness, his longest run of the season is 22 yards, and he needs to find some open holes to break out the long running play.
Jarryd Hayne came within a few yards of a touchdown last game, and this could finally be the time when we see him score. He’s carried the ball eight times for 25 yards, currently third best in the team behind Hyde and Kaepernick’s 218 yards.
The fact that Carlos Hyde is questionable to play with a foot injury, and Reggie Bush is doubtful with a calf injury, means there’s a possibility that Hayne could start his very first game in the NFL against the Ravens.
Elsewhere on the injury report for San Francisco, guard Alex Boone (shoulder), tight end Vance McDonald (chest), tackle Joe Staley (knee) and linebacker NaVorro Bowman (not injury related) are all probable to play.
Wide receiver Bruce Ellington (calf), guard Brandon Thomas (ankle), tight end Vernon Davis (nee) and linebackers Eli Harold (knee) and Ahmad Brooks (not injury related) are all questionable to play.
The Ravens are a disappointing surprise at 1-4, and this game is really crucial for them if they don’t want their season to derail. A heartbreaking overtime loss at Cleveland last week was the last thing they needed, especially after winning against the Steelers in overtime the week before. Bottom line: they need to start winning.
Joe Flacco, numbers-wise, is having a similar season to Colin Kaepernick. Both are completing around 62% of their passes, have thrown five interceptions and are averaging 6.5 yards per pass attempt. Flacco has only taken eight sacks, and has thrown for 1262 yards, but his play needs to improve if the Ravens want the W.
Speaking of similarities, Justin Forsett has put up numbers akin to those of Carlos Hyde. Both are averaging 4.5 yards per attempt, while Forsett has 20 more yards than Hyde (395) but has scored two less touchdowns (1). The Ravens have a threat in the receiving game with Forsett and a solid backup RB in rookie Javorius Allen.
Steve Smith has shown that age can’t slow him down, and the old man has been getting it done so far. His 373 yards in the air put him in the top 25 in the league, while Kamar Aiken has 243 receiving yards. Crockett Gilmore has 151 yards.
The Ravens have been making some moves, signing former 49ers CB Shareece Wright and re-signing their talented guard Marshal Yanda to a four year, $32 million dollar deal. With Lorenzo Taliaferro placed on season-ending injured reserve, Baltimore picked up Raheem Mostert off waivers from the Miami Dolphins.
The Ravens have 12 players on their injury report. Safety Terrence Brooks (thumb), defensive end Chris Canty (calf) and wide receivers Darren Waller (concussion) and Breshad Perriman (knee) are all out. Cornerback Ladarius Webb (thigh) is doubtful, while linebacker Daryl Smith (not injury related) is probable to play.
Linebacker Elvis Dumervil (thigh), tight end Crockett Gilmore (calf), the aforementioned Yanda (ankle) and wide receivers Chris Givens (ankle) and Steve Smith (back) are all questionable. Justin Forsett (ankle) is also questionable, and was described as a “game time decision” by coach John Harbaugh.
Neither team has looked impressive, but it will be the Ravens who triumph here. The 49ers will stick around, and could even push it to a third overtime in three weeks for Baltimore, but Joe Flacco will be on target as Javorius Allen pounds the ground. We’ll see Jarryd Hayne’s first touchdown – ! – and Australia will go crazy.
Will the Hayne Plane finally make his way into the end zone?
Join The Roar from 7:25am AEDT for score updates and debate in our live blog.
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