There is a lot of hype building around Sunday's matchup between the 10-1 San Francisco 49ers and the 9-2 Baltimore Ravens. It is turning into one of the most anticipated games of the year among fans and the media.
For the 49ers, it is business as usual. The Ravens are simply another opponent in front of them and a stepping stone to where the team hopes to end up.
While each week seems to be labeled San Francisco's biggest game of the season, that's just the narrative outside the building. The coaches and players are treating Sunday's game like any other — another championship opportunity.
"I think we have a good mindset in the locker room," quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo told reporters before Wednesday's practice. "Guys aren't looking at the game any differently than we have any other week. It's just how we kind of go about our business."
By this time last season, fans were already looking toward the draft. Some are touting Sunday's matchup between two of the NFL's best as a potential Super Bowl preview. Unlike last year, the 49ers are playing meaningful football at the end of the season.
"Around Thanksgiving time, that's when football really gets going," Garoppolo continued. "I'm glad we have these opportunities we have. We just have to go take advantage of it now."
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While the 49ers defense tries to limit quarterback Lamar Jackson, a strong MVP candidate, Garoppolo will try to find success against a Ravens defense that has been stingy toward opposing offenses, allowing just 18.4 points per game (No. 5 in the NFL). It does, however, rank No. 17 in passing yards allowed (235.0 per game).
"You have to know the game plan inside and out, have an answer for what they're going to do, and kind of feel it out throughout the game as it goes, really," Garoppolo said when asked about the keys going against a defense like the Ravens'.
Added Garoppolo: "They do a great job of disguising [what they are doing] with the safeties and the linebackers, all of it tied together. But it's really about playing the play. You can't really predetermine anything until the ball is snapped, and then read it out, however they rotate or blitz, wherever it comes from. Just feel it out."
The chances are good that it will be raining at M&T Bank Stadium at kickoff. The 49ers got a little help in the preparation process on Wednesday with showers coming down in Santa Clara.
"It will definitely help us for Sunday," Garoppolo responded when asked about the weather. "You can't overthink it too much. There's always variables in home games, away games, whatever it is. Every week is a little different, but just playing our game is the most important thing."
As for entering the game as an underdog at 10-1, Garoppolo said, "It's pretty much been like that the whole year, so we embrace it."