SANTA CLARA — Sunday’s matchup between the 49ers and Ravens already has been tapped by the outside world as a Super Bowl preview. But for Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers offense, it’s just another day at the office.
It seems like every week the 49ers are facing the biggest test ahead of them. After only winning 10 games in their last two seasons combined, they have been consistently perceived as the underdog in seemingly every matchup in 2019, and facing the Ravens in Week 13 is no different. But Garoppolo says it that consistent doubt hasn't phased the players at all.
“It’s pretty much been like that the whole year so we embrace it,” Garoppolo said Wednesday. “I think we have a good mindset in the locker room. Guys aren’t looking at the game any differently than we have any other week. Just kind of how we go about our business.”
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Just like the outside voices, coach Kyle Shanahan believes the outside elements won’t phase his players either. A little cold weather and rain in Santa Clara has offered a dress rehearsal-type atmosphere for the team as they anticipate cold and rainy Baltimore.
“I think we’ve done a number of those situations this year,” Shanahan said. "At least we’ve had some success in them, unlike the last two years. So, I think that helps guys just knowing that we’ve done that. Our team, it really doesn’t matter the situation.
“You always try to say that, but it's truly become a reality this year. Whether it’s been injuries, or where we’ve played or what time we’ve played, we feel we’ve always gotten our team’s best shot. I do understand the challenges of going to the east coast, but fortunately, they also got a little bit of a late start because they played a Monday night game on the west coast. Everyone has some tough situations and I know theirs is just as tough as ours.”
Echoing his coach, Garoppolo isn't taking a different approach this week despite all of the noise. The 49ers QB simply is preparing for the Ravens defense as he would any other week, knowing that things could change as the game -- and even the weather -- evolves.
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“I think you have to know the game plan inside and out,” Garoppolo said. “Have an answer for what they are going to do and kind of feel it out throughout the game as it goes really.
“They do a great job of disguising it 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 how they rotate or blitz or wherever it’s coming from and just feel it out.”
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As the stage continues to get bigger each week for the 49ers, Garoppolo remains steady, simply seeing it as the natural progression of the season. He knows that the marquee matchups can only prepare them going forward.
"It’s really good for our whole team, just the opportunities that we are getting, but it’s only good if we take advantage of it.”