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49ers vs. Ravens: 5 bold predictions for San Francisco in Week 13

By Peter Panacy

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 07: Safety Matt Elam #26 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles running back Jewel Hampton #33 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL pre-season game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 7, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 07: Safety Matt Elam #26 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles running back Jewel Hampton #33 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL pre-season game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 7, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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George Kittle, 49ers
George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Tight End George Kittle Goes Off Again

After missing games with both knee and ankle injuries, tight end George Kittle‘s return to action in Week 12 against the Packers wasn’t a sight to miss.

Kittle finished the contest with an outstanding six catches for 129 yards, including a 61-yard catch-and-run touchdown in his return to action.

Against the Ravens, Kittle could end up being quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo‘s best friend again. At least according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco:

"The area of the Ravens defense that Shanahan and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo can exploit is the linebackers. None of Baltimore’s linebackers can even come close to handling George Kittle. Therefore, the chore for Shanahan will be to devise a series of shifts, motions and route concepts that test the coverage skills of inside linebackers Josh Bynes and Patrick Onwuasor. Whenever Kittle is matched up against the linebackers, that’s when Garoppolo must strike to get the ball in his hands."

Kittle has been about as good a safety blanket for Garoppolo this season. Combined with the likelihood Baltimore will have trouble covering the Pro Bowler, it wouldn’t be shocking at all to see Kittle have yet another big game.

Perhaps in the range of 120-plus yards with a touchdown, perhaps two.