Mike Florio calls Ravens ‘sacrificial lambs’ predicts 49ers Super Bowl

The Christmas night showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens has been billed as a Super Bowl preview, with many experts expecting a thrilling game as the league’s top two teams do battle. 
 
But don’t count NBC Sports’ Mike Florio among them. 

“If it’s a Super Bowl preview, the Super Bowl is gonna suck,” said Florio on his Thursday NBC show. 

The pundit used some colorful language to describe how dominant the 49ers have been when at full strength.

“As long as the key players stay healthy, they’re gonna kick the s–t out of everyone they face,” said Florio.

He used a similar phrase in his prediction for the Christmas game.

“The 49ers kick the s–t out of the Ravens on Monday night. I’m sorry I know that’s disrespectful to the Ravens. But let’s be realistic,” said Florio, who predicted the 49ers will beat Lamar Jackson and the Ravens by a final of 31-20.

While his word choice may raise some eyebrows, Florio is hardly going out on a limb by saying the 49ers have been excellent. Boasting two potential MVP candidates in Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers have played themselves to an NFC-best 11-3 record and likely first round playoff bye. Since losing to Cincinnati on October 29th, the 49ers have been on an absolute tear, winning six straight with an average margin of victory of over 18 points

That Florio would be this positive about San Francisco is somewhat surprising given his history with the team. Unlike his co-host Chris Simms, who is close friends with Kyle Shanahan and never misses a chance to compliment the 49ers, Florio has been downright hostile towards the San Francisco head coach in the past. He’s also made childish jokes about 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

But Florio appears to have changed his tone. The pundit followed up his Thursday comments by declaring on his Friday podcast that the 49ers are “clearly better than everyone else.” 

“It feels like it’s going to be sacrificial lambs, not true competitors,” said Florio of the rest of the 49ers’ competition, including the AFC-leading Ravens. 

“Barring something unexpected, they’re gonna win the Super Bowl. They are the best team,” said Florio.

The Ravens and 49ers are set to kickoff at 5:15 p.m. on Monday from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.