Did the Baltimore Ravens unveil the blueprint for solving Brock Purdy and the potent offense of the San Francisco 49ers?
That’s the question for San Francisco (11-4) as it prepares for the sputtering Washington Commanders (4-11) on Sunday in Landover, Md.
The 49ers have two games to figure it out, including their regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Wins in both matchups will give San Francisco the top seed in the NFC and a bye into the divisional round of the playoffs.
The Niners can also clinch the top seed with a win Sunday, along with a Dallas Cowboys win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday and an Arizona Cardinals win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
The 49ers are coming off the kind of jolting, humbling loss at home (33-19 to the Ravens on Monday night), that can leave even a confident team questioning its fitness for the postseason.
Baltimore collected four sacks and five interceptions by crowding the line, employing a heavy rush and daring Purdy and backup Sam Darnold to throw under duress.
San Francisco also had 102 yards in penalties, its second most in a game this season.
“It was just a loss,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “You play a good team and you have five turnovers and you have all those penalties, it makes it tough to win.”
The San Francisco brain trust has a short week to develop countermeasures before traveling east to play at Washington, which has lost its last six games, matching its longest losing streak since 2014.
Complicating preparations are injuries to the 49ers offensive line. Among the players hurt Monday were All-Pro tackle Trent Williams (groin), his replacement Jaylon Moore (concussion) and guard Aaron Banks (turf toe).
On Wednesday, Moore and Banks were held out of practice, while Williams was a limited participant.
There’s little comparison between the defense of the Ravens and that of the Commanders, which has surrendered more points (30.2) and yards (384.3) per game than any team in the NFL.
On the offensive side of the ball, Washington coach Ron Rivera has made a quarterback switch, replacing Sam Howell with veteran Jacoby Brissett.
“It’s a good opportunity for Sam to take a break,” Rivera said. “This is about Sam’s continued development. Things haven’t gone as well as we’d like the last few weeks.”
Howell’s struggles have increased during the Commanders’ losing streak. His 1.7 passer rating in a 30-28 loss Sunday at the New York Jets was the worst of his career.
“I know my worth,” Howell said. “I know the type of player I’m capable of being. This isn’t going to make me forget all the things I feel like I’ve done well this year.”
Brissett has been sharp in relief appearances the last two weeks, completing 18 of 23 passes for 224 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
After entering midway through the third quarter against the Jets on Sunday, Brissett directed three straight touchdown drives to rally the Commanders from a 20-point deficit before New York recovered with a game-winning, 54-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein.
Commanders starters who did not practice Wednesday due to injury were cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (concussion), left tackle Charles Leno (calf) and tight end Tyler Larsen (knee). Running back Chris Rodriguez (ankle), who scored two touchdowns against the Jets, also missed practice while starting running back Brian Robinson (hamstring) was limited.
In addition to their injured offensive linemen, 49ers starters who missed practice Wednesday were defensive tackle Arik Armstead (knee, foot), wide receiver Jajuan Jennings (concussion) and safety Ji’Ayir Brown (knee).
Wide receiver Debo Samuel (neck) was a limited participant. Purdy was a full participant after leaving Monday’s loss with a stinger in his non-throwing shoulder.
–Field Level Media