HAR-BOWL Review

By Kalen Patrick

Well after riding an 8 game winning streak, the 49ers finally got beat by the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving. The Ravens stuffed the 49ers to win it 16-6 . While there is no doubt that the Ravens were definitely the superior team on the night, the game was actually very very close fought and one or two questionable calls against the 49ers really hurt them. The 49ers on a very short week having to travel across the country were already at a disadvantage so if they were to lose any game, this was going to be the one.

The 2 calls I mentioned were the chopping block by Frank Gore/Chilo Rachal on Alex Smith's 75 yard TD pass to Ted Ginn, and the 50 yard Pass Interference call on Tarrell Brown's Interception which gift wrapped another 3 points to the Ravens. Both of these calls were very harsh and hurt the 49ers big time. However bad calls will always happen in games and you must overcome them, unfortunately the 49ers could not do that this time around.

THE RAVENS SACKED ALEX SMITH 9 TIMES

One or two bad decisions hurt the 49ers even more, while in Field Goal range and the end of the half, Alex Smith attempted to hit Braylon Edwards in the endzone, which got picked off, and cost the 49ers 3 points when it was a 6-3 ballgame in favor of the Ravens. So while the Ravens did win, and it was somewhat of a convincing win for them, I have to look at the positives.

Short week, travel across the country, 2 big calls by the officials and one or two mistakes and the game could have a completely different outcome. Plus that Baltimore team was just firing on all cylinders, the defense played out of its mind. My hat goes off to the Ravens, they beat us and deserved to win.

49ers now have extra time to prepare for the Rams next Sunday in Candlestick Park. A win next Sunday would clinch the NFC West for the 49ers.