The San Francisco 49ers’ first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles was like Monty Python’s Spanish Inquisition in that nobody expected it. Kyle Shanahan’s offense, which ranked first in the NFL in DVOA coming into this crucial game, had minus-6 total yards in the first quarter, averaging minus-1.0 yards per play, which was the fewest in Shanahan’s time with the team — going back to 2017.
However, the Eagles could manage just two first-quarter field goals in that quarter, and that turned out to be a problem when the 49ers got back on the horse in the second quarter. Then, they scored two touchdowns to go up 14-6 at the half.
First, there was this two-yard pass from Brock Purdy to Brandon Aiyuk with 7:10 left in the first half…
Float like a butterfly, sting like a BA 🐝 @THE2ERA#SFvsPHI on FOX#ProBowlVote 🗳 https://t.co/bosbZYCB7K pic.twitter.com/bMsKbnLQ5N
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 3, 2023
…and then, Christian McCaffrey scored his 17th touchdown of the season with 38 seconds left.
RoboCMC 🤖 @CMC_22#SFvsPHI on FOX#ProBowlVote 🗳 https://t.co/bosbZYCB7K pic.twitter.com/i86GLAMQS7
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 3, 2023
The 49ers are not unfamiliar with negative plays. Per Pro Football Focus’ metrics, they had 93 such plays and penalties this season. Problem is, if you don’t take advantage of those glitches in the Matrix, they’ll eventually come back and bite you.
As the 10-1 Eagles are now discovering.
