After removing the pretenders label from the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, I signed off from my writing duties for the night, because you don’t make a Mexican family wait to unwrap the tamales on . Don’t worry, Bailey Zappe and Chad Ryland. I caught the highlights of the New England Patriots’ win against the Denver Broncos.
But before shutting the laptop, my editor Mitch Goldich sent me a message suggesting I think of a Christmas theme for my takeaways story on Monday’s three NFL games. I tried to be creative, but all I could think about was the tamales. For example, which one would I eat first? The red one with pork or the green one with chicken? Or the cheese one with jalapeño?
I actually ended up eating pozole first before consuming countless tamales. Anyway, I tried to continue my brainstorming session, but then my girlfriend’s nephew asked if I had seen the horror film I said no, so he made sure I watched the 2016 movie with a cult following. I never expected to watch a scary clown terrorize a handful of people on Christmas Eve, but I was made aware that will have a Christmas theme.
Oh, yeah, back to the theme for my takeaways. Unfortunately, nothing really came to mind besides giving every team a tamale rating. The idea sounded better in my head.
But Christmas is about tradition, such as watching scary movies and NFL games. (Sorry, NBA.) This is my way of saying I’ll build off what Mitch started last Christmas by making a naughty and nice list for my takeaways of Monday’s tripleheader. As for some creativity, I’ll give out appropriate imaginary gifts, too.
Baltimore Ravens 33, San Francisco 49ers 19
Gift: MVP award
Jackson was the best player on the field, outshining fellow MVP candidates Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy during the Baltimore Ravens’ dominant victory against the San Francisco 49ers. At this point, I’m over the MVP conversation because there seems to be a new frontrunner every week. But Jackson is the star quarterback on the team with the best record in the AFC. He’s now 20–1 in his career against NFC teams, including lopsided wins against the Lions, Seahawks and 49ers this season, as well as a close victory against the Rams. It’s hard to argue against that résumé, but many will still point to his middling passing yards total and Baltimore’s dominant defense. But no quarterback can do what Jackson does on a weekly basis as a passer and runner. Jackson is also a nightmare to defend away from the pocket and doesn’t look to run at the first sign of trouble. The 2019 MVP had a 39-yard completion to Gus Edwards to set up a key touchdown drive to give the Ravens a 23–12 advantage to start the second half.
Ravens’ defense
Gift: A giant pot filled with a variety of tamales
The Ravens’ defense got the best gift, in my opinion, one that was well deserved after they shut down the 49ers’ star-studded offense. It was the type of performance that could earn defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald a head-coaching job in the offseason. Safety Kyle Hamilton, linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike flashed as difference makers to help the Ravens record five interceptions. (Hamilton walked off the field with a knee injury.) Collectively, the defensive numbers under sacks and quarterback hits don’t reflect the type of pressure the Ravens applied on Purdy, who had the worst game of his young career. We’re all seeing why Ravens coach John Harbaugh was quick to bring back Macdonald in 2022 after a one-year stint as a defensive coordinator for his brother, Jim Harbaugh, at Michigan.
