This year’s Christmas showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens wasn’t just your standard old matchup between two current No. 1 seeds. It was also the clash of the doppelgängers.
Prior to the game, edited pictures on X (formerly known as Twitter) showed how similar 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and Ravens coach John Harbaugh were in appearance, specifically their similar facial structures.
After the Ravens’ 33—19 win, Purdy and Harbaugh shook hands on the field, and Harbaugh cracked a joke about their near-identical appearance.
Harbaugh told Purdy, “People tell me we look alike.”
"People tell me we look alike." 😂
Funny moment between Jon Harbaugh and Brock Purdy. Added at the end that he's got a lot of respect for him. #FTTB | #49ers | #Ravens | @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/tX1gvDBteG
— Matt Lively (@mattblively) December 26, 2023
The 16-year Ravens coach added, “I got a lot of respect for you, man. You’re doing a great job.”
On Monday, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens thwarted the 49ers in a game that drastically decreased Purdy’s 2023 MVP odds while increasing Jackson’s odds.
Jackson, who now owns a sparkling 20—1 record against NFC teams, went 23-of-35 for 252 yards and two passing touchdowns, also recording 45 yards on the ground. Purdy, who exited the game in the fourth quarter due to a stinger, finished with 255 yards and no touchdowns against four interceptions.
The Ravens (12—3) can clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win in next week’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The 49ers (11—4) will hope to bounce back against the Washington Commanders.