After ten months of talking, speculations, what-ifs, and rule changes, the San Francisco 49ers will get another shot at the Philadelphia Eagles with a healthy Brock Purdy at quarterback.
Philadelphia will be without Zach Cunningham (hamstring), while Fletcher Cox (groin) is a game-time decision.
With kickoff fast approaching, here’s a look at seven key matchups to watch.
Eagles DC Sean Desai vs. 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan
The Eagles struggle to play zone, and outside of Slay and Bradberry, Sean Desai’s unit has been outmatched in man-to-man coverage. Philadelphia has dropped from No. 3 to No. 23 in EPA per game against the pass this season, including the benefit of drops by Chiefs receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Bills running back James Cook that would’ve altered the past two wins.
The Eagles have allowed the NFL’s third-fewest rushing yards per game (85.3), but opponents have been able to convert their third-down opportunities at the league’s third-highest rate against the Eagles (45.5 percent), up from 19th last season (38.6).
Shanahan will incorporate motion, unbalanced formations, and schemes that’ll put Nicholas Morrow, Christian Elliss, Bradley Roby, Reed Blankenship, and Kevin Byard in compromising situations.
Desai has to dial up a scheme to slow down and confuse Brock Purdy while not exposing his defense to unfavorable matchups and playing man coverage.
Jalen Hurts vs. 49ers DC Steve Wilks
San Francisco is tied for second in the NFL in total takeaways with 21 and they’re first in the NFL with 15 interceptions.
Philadelphia leads the NFL with a 50.3% conversion percentage on third and fourth downs combined.
The Eagles rank 3rd in third-down offense (47.3%), behind Buffalo (49.7%) and Dallas (47.7%), while also leading the league with a 76.5% success rate on fourth down.
The dual-threat Hurts will test Wilks defense and the veteran defense coordinator will look to pressure Philadelphia’s star quarterback, while choosing efficient moments to play Fred Warner as the spy on key downs.
Hurts has taken the first half to figure opposing defense, before closing the show, while adjusting in the second half.
D’Andre Swift vs. 49ers run defense
The Eagles had 148 rushing yards in the NFC Championship game, and the goal should be to duplicate such a performance on Sunday afternoon.
Controlling the time of possession would allow Philadelphia to be physical up front while keeping the explosive San Francisco offense on the sidelines.
Swift is just 29 scrimmage yards away from 1,000 total on the season and he’s averaged 6.0 yards per carry over the last two wins.
The 49ers have the No. 2 run defense in the NFL, giving up just 82 yards per game.
But the 49ers are 10th in the NFL in yards per attempt allowed.
Philadelphia will look to gash San Francisco early and often with Swift, before attacking the Niners through the air in the second half.
Lane Johnson vs. Nick Bosa
Bosa is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year after logging an 18 1/2-sack season in 2022.
This season he has 8 sacks and 29 QB hits through 11 games, but he’s never been able to figure out the Eagles’ All-Pro right tackle.
The 49ers have 33 sacks as a team this year, and if Bosa can give Johnson problems, along with Chase Young’s matchup against Jordan Mailata, things could get interesting.
Eagles Edge rusher Haason Reddick vs. 49ers OT Colton McKivitz
The 49ers have allowed just 21 sacks all season, which ranks tied for fourth-fewest in the NFL. Left tackle Trent Williams is still playing at an incredibly high level, but he’ll have his hands full with Josh Sweat.
Philadelphia could find their advantage in the matchup between Hassan Reddick and the 49ers’ right tackle Colton McKivitz.
Reddick has 8 1/2 sacks in 11 games this season, while McKivitz is a former fifth-round pick in his first season as a full-time starter. He has given up a team-high five sacks, 3 QB hits, and 27 total pressures, according to ProFootballFocus.
Eagles ' Darius Slay-James Bradberry vs. 49ers Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk
Deebo Samuel said he didn’t regret calling Eagles cornerback James Bradberry “trash.”
Both players will have the chance to walk the walk.
Bradberry had five passes defended in the win over Buffalo and is starting to hit his stride.
For San Francisco, Brandon Aiyuk has 45 catches for 881 yards and five touchdowns and could draw Darius Slay because of his speed.
Samuel has 34 catches for 474 yards, and 1 touchdown this season in nine games.
Eagles Christian Elliss, Kevin Byard vs. Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle
The Eagles have allowed 55 catches for 520 yards and six touchdowns to opposing tight ends. With Zach Cunningham out (hamstring), it’ll be on Nicholas Morrow and Christian Elliss to help account for George Kittle (TE), and Christian McCaffrey (dual-threat).
In 11 games this season, McCaffrey has 1,328 scrimmage yards and 16 touchdowns.
The Eagles have to be sound at the point of attack when working to contain both McCaffrey and Kittle.
