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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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Earl Thomas Ravens
Safety Earl Thomas #29 of the Baltimore Ravens (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Earl Thomas

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo avoided the turnover-prone tendencies he’s flashed at various points this season, committing zero interceptions during the win against a good Packers defense.

That said, Garoppolo is still averaging just shy of one interception thrown per game. And in a contest where giving Lamar Jackson extra field time can prove to be deadly, Jimmy G needs to be able to protect the ball at all costs.

Some of Garoppolo’s most frustrating interceptions have come at times where he simply didn’t see a defender, such as the one picked off by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks during the 49ers’ Week 11 win at Levi’s Stadium.

In Week 13, the one player of which Garoppolo needs to be wary is perennial Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas.

Thomas has just two interceptions this season after departing the Seattle Seahawks for the Ravens in free agency. But his ability to lurk over the center of the defense and react quickly to a quarterback not looking him off are skills he’s honed over his well-established career.

The Ravens overall allowed an average of 6.3 yards per pass play entering Week 12, which is good for 17th best. But Thomas is the kind of player who could put a spike in that number, should Garoppolo be careless with the ball.