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49ers vs. Ravens: 5 matchups to watch in potential Super Bowl preview

By Peter Panacy

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 03: The Baltimore Ravens center the ball at the line of scrimmage on a point after attempt against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Ravens won 34-31. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 03: The Baltimore Ravens center the ball at the line of scrimmage on a point after attempt against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Ravens won 34-31. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers visit the red-hot Baltimore Ravens in what could be a preview of Super Bowl LIV, and Niner Noise explores five key matchups to watch in the game.

If there has been anything as close to a Super Bowl matchup this season, the San Francisco 49ers are about to play it when they visit the red-hot Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Week 13.

The 10-1 Niners own the best record in the NFC are are tied for the best record in the league, following their one-sided 37-8 drubbing of the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.

Yet the Ravens answered that beatdown with one of their own, demolishing the Los Angeles Rams in front of a national audience 45-6 on Monday Night Football to improve to 9-2.

In many ways, Baltimore answered what San Francisco just said the day before.

Sunday’s contest between these two powerhouses figures to be an epic clash of monumental proportions — a football fan’s dream following a Thanksgiving Day weekend, and a possible Super Bowl LIV preview, should both these teams continue their hot stretches into the postseason.

And by the way both squads are playing, it’s hard to figure otherwise.

The Ravens haven’t been just about MVP-candidate quarterback Lamar Jackson, either. As crazy-good as he’s been, Baltimore has also utilized a stout rushing attack and aggressive defense. While San Francisco’s defense is notably better, statistically, the Ravens’ own defense isn’t far behind in the standings.

The Niners rank No. 2 in scoring, defensively, while the Ravens are No. 5.

Matchups like these will ultimately decide who winds up winning this game, so Niner Noise explores the five most crucial matchups the 49ers must win this Sunday.