A regular season match up that we didn’t get to see, but a trip to Arizona for Super Bowl 57 is on the line between the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams respectively have been the top two teams in the NFC all year. Sunday 3pm, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA where it will decide who represents the National Football Conference in Super Bowl 57.
How They Got Here:
San Francisco has been hot winning 12 straight games riding the the Brock Purdy wave. Dating back to week 14 where Purdy made his first career start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he outplayed Tom Brady. Along with San Francisco’s Defense causing havoc with two interceptions limiting Tampa to only 7 points all game in a 35-7 beat down.
Fast forward to the opening round of the playoffs the Niners took care of business at home against Divisional foe Seattle in a 41-23 victory where Purdy threw for 3 touchdowns, then rushed for one in a game where San Fran struggled to run the ball.
Next came the Divisional Round against the Dallas Cowboys, where the 49ers started off slow but used an impressive second half to win the game 19-12.
Highlighted by arguably the play of the game where Brock Purdy rolled outside of the pocket, his first couple of options were blanketed, he hit George Kittle on a deep 30 yard pass across the middle that Kittle bobbled a few times before finally gaining possession of it.
That play ignited San Francisco’s only touchdown possession drive of the game that was capped off with a 2 yard run by Christian McCaffrey.
Philadelphia Eagles has posted the best record in football all year getting off to an impressive 8-0 start.
The team had a few hiccups one Monday night against the Washington Commanders who just completely out hustled them & played more spirited football. The other losses can be attributed to Philly not having their NFL MVP finalists quarterback Jalen Hurts not under center.
Hurts injured his throwing shoulder (right) in a week 15 match up against the Chicago Bears on a QB scramble. Hurts would go on to miss the next two games, & the Eagles would go on & lose the next two games against division rival the Dallas Cowboys then fall to the New Orleans Saints in week 17.
Ultimately Hurts would return for a week 18 match up vs the New York Giants. Hurts was just there to manage the game they didn’t need his heroic effort they just wanted to get his feet wet for a long playoff run they knew was coming up.
Locking up the first seed in the NFC the Eagles would be on a bye week which means Hurts shoulder would get another week of much needed rest.
In the Divisional Round against the Giants, Philadelphia came out looking rested & fresh, The Eagles scored on their first two possessions of the game Hurts connected on a 16 yard TD pass with tight end Dallas Goedert. Followed by the next possession he would hit his guy DeVonta Smith on a 9 yard score. The fun was just beginning as Philly went on to route the Giants 38-7.
Trench Welfare:
This game is going to simply come down to which defensive line can get to the quarterback & which offensive line can protect the best.
The Eagles led the NFL in sacks with 70 this year. To put that in perspective the only team to have more sacks than that were the 1984 Chicago Bears who had 72 that season. With players like Fletcher Cox (7 Sacks), Javon Hargrave, Brandon Graham, Hasson Riddick, Josh Sweat.
Their job is going to be limiting San Francisco’s ground attack led by Christian McCaffery & Elijah Mitchell. Philly has surrendered 121.6 (Ranked 16th) rush yards a game during the regular season with the 49ers rushing for 138.8 (Ranked 8th) yards a game.
While Trent Williams is arguably the best tackle in football it’s the others on the Niners offensive line that is concerning. The Eagles must stop San Francisco’s rushing attack so they can put the Niners in 2nd/3rd & long situations.
San Francisco has some nice pieces on their Defensive Line as well led by Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Samson Ebukam. Although they don’t get to the quarterback as much as the Eagles do, they only given up 77.7 (1st) rush yards a game.
Which helps when you have All-Pro Linebacker Fred Warner running sideline to sideline making plays. This will be the 49ers toughest task all year. They are facing the best offensive line in football led by five time All-Pro Center Jason Kelce, plus two time All-Pro tackle Lane Johnson & Jordan Mailata.
The Eagles have ran the ball exceptionally well this year for 147.6 (5th) yards a game, mainly with quarterback Jalen Hurts making the right decisions on whether to keep it or give it in the RPO game, designed qb runs, or him just taking off.
QB Play:
Mr. Irrelevant the name that you’re given when you’re the last pick in the NFL draft. Brock Purdy has done everything but be irrelevant.
He has been on what some may call best quarterback run by a rookie in NFL history. Up until this point he is 7-0 as a starter. Making big time throws when needed and also using his legs at times too.
Purdys post-season stat line in two games read for 37/59 for 546 yard with 3TDs & zero interceptions. The offense runs like a well oiled machine with Purdy, the other 10 guys on the field with him, have the ultimate confidence in him & it shows.
But Sunday afternoon poses a difficult task for the 7th round pick. Going into one of the most hostile atmospheres in all of sports the Linc (Lincoln Financial Field) this will be his first true road test.
I expect Kyle Shanahan to take the pressure off his quarterback by running the ball as much as possible, plus utilizing quick game passes to get the ball out of his hands so Philly can’t pin their ears back to harass him.
If I was given a vote Jalen Hurts would be my MVP. Throwing for almost 4,000 yards accounting for 22 touchdowns in the air with another 13 on the ground, Jalen has been special for this team.
Factor in different reporters claiming anybody behind center could play his position & succeed, turns out they can’t Philly went 0-2 without the brother from Omega Psi Phi under center. For Hurts the game plan is simple take what the defense gives you.
If the Niners wants to pack the box, take the easy wide receiver screens like the Cowboys did & get the ball in space to DeVonta Smith, if you like your one on one match up with Charvarius Ward covering AJ Brown take it, when you feel the 49ers are getting out of their rush lanes take off & get those 4/5 yard run plays to put your team in 2nd/3rd down 4 or less.
Hurts has played in big games before so this is nothing new to him, I expect him to be the best quarterback on the field Sunday & live up to his MVP nomination.
Skill on Skill:
It’s no doubt San Francisco touts one of the top offenses of the 4 remaining teams. Insert Debo Samuel, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey.
The 49ers can spread the ball around a plethora of ways. Using Debo in the back field for run plays, putting him in the slot for reverses. The biggest key to me is how will Kyle use Aiyuk & Kittle to exploit Phillys defense down the middle of the field.
I don’t expect the 49ers to just drop back & throw the ball I expect quick game with them trying to get as much YAC as possible. This is who the 49ers are they feast off of turning small 4/5 plays into big chunk plays.
Insert an Eagles secondary who will not be bullied by the Niners & will go toe to toe with them. Lead by Darius “Big Play” Slay, James Bradberry, & Chauncey Gardener-Johnson.
This Eagles secondary doesn’t give up the long deep passes at all, but that won’t be their issue. Can this secondary win their one on one matchups when they decide to play man & can they limit San Francisco to just minimum catch & throws.
If they can limit the big plays after the catch from Debo, Kittle & company I like their chances to pull it out.
Prediction: San Francisco 24 Philly 26
Octavius Thomas 