Last meeting
The Ravens clobbered the Niners, 44-6, in November 2003. The Baltimore defense forced four turnovers, including an interception that was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Ray Lewis.
Last week
Cleveland stunned the Ravens as the Browns jumped out to an early lead and then hung on for a 27-13 win. Steve McNair, who was recovering last week from an injured groin, took every snap for the Ravens and completed 34-of-53 passes for 307 yards and one touchdown. The vaunted Baltimore allowed its first rushing touchdown in 10 contests. ... San Francisco swept the Seahawks last season, and both teams sat atop the NFC West standings this season before last week's clash. The 49ers offense struggled again, as RB Frank Gore gained just 79 yards on the ground and fumbled twice in a 23-3 loss. Quarterback Alex Smith was sacked and injured on the third play from scrimmage and the team never got on track offensively with Trent Dilfer under center. Smith could be out as long as a month with a third-degree shoulder separation.
Key matchup
Gore vs. Baltimore's rush defense. Unless the 49ers running back has a breakout game, the NFL's last-ranked offense will have a tough time scoring on the Ravens, even if they are a bit bruised. Gore will be key for the 49ers, who rank second-last in passing yards per game (147.2). Think the Ravens, coming off a bitter defeat, aren't licking their chops at the prospects of facing the slow-footed Dilfer, who completed only 12-of-33 passes for 128 yards and two interceptions last week?
Did you know?
McNair needs one rushing TD to tie Kordell Stewart at 38 for third all-time among NFL quarterbacks.... Dilfer played one season in Baltimore (2000) and helped the Ravens to victory in Super Bowl XXXV. The QB was 11-1 (.917) as the Ravens' starter, winning the final 11 games (including playoffs).
