The No. 3-seeded Eagles (11-6) are hosting the No. 6-seeded 49ers (12-5) in an NFC wild-card round game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday afternoon.
Here are our predictions:
Reuben Frank (12-5)
I’m doing something I should never do, and that’s go against my initial feeling. My gut reaction when we knew it would be Eagles-49ers was that I just don’t trust this offense to score enough points to beat a good team, and for all their faults and injuries, the 49ers are a 12-win team that won six of its last seven games, scoring 34 1/2 points per game along the way. The Eagles haven’t scored more than 19 points against a team with a winning record since the comeback vs. the Rams in Week 3, and I haven’t seen any signs of hope as the Eagles have sputtered along with 17 points vs. the Broncos, 10 vs. the Packers, 16 vs. the Lions, a scoreless second half in Dallas, 15 points vs. the Bears, 19 vs. the Chargers, then 13 in Buffalo. I just have no faith that the Eagles can suddenly get things going, even against a 49ers defense that’s beat up and has been largely ineffective this year. So for me it comes down to how well can the Eagles’ defense play against an offense with some elite weapons, and I guess this pick is a reflection of my confidence in Vic Fangio holding the 49ers to enough points that even a mediocre performance by the offense will be good enough. You don’t want to go into the playoffs like this, where you have no confidence in one side of the ball, but that’s where we are. But I do love the way this defense is playing and I’m going to trust that they’ll carry the Eagles Sunday like they’ve carried them much of the year.
Eagles 20, 49ers 17
Dave Zangaro (10-7)
I certainly understand why some fans are anxious about the Eagles’ offense entering the playoffs. That side of the football hasn’t been good enough all season and has underperformed relative to expectations. That’s a group that brought back 10 of 11 starters from Super Bowl LIX and has still struggled. But they’ll face a 49ers defense that is also the weaker of their two units. It’s a defense that has been decimated by injuries, is down to linebackers off the street and has almost no pass rush. It’s unrealistic to expect the Eagles’ offense to suddenly flip a switch and be elite, but they should be able to move the ball and put up points against the Niners. I think the Eagles will finally unleash Jalen Hurts’ rushing ability more in the playoffs and that will help. On defense, the Eagles have been down the stretch and, as good as the 49ers are on offense, I like the Eagles and Vic Fangio in that matchup. I watched what the Seahawks did to the 49ers in Week 18 and thought, ‘The Eagles can do that too.’ They probably can’t hold them to just 3 points but I think Fangio’s side of the football will look strong. Ultimately, there’s a talent disparity here. A few years ago when these two teams met in the NFC Championship Game, they were the two most talented teams in the NFL. That’s not the case this year. The Eagles are still one of the most talented but there’s a significant drop-off to the Niners. That doesn’t mean San Francisco can’t win — they got 12 wins on the season. But the Eagles are the healthier team and they’re the more talented team and they’re at home. We see at least one more week of Eagles football in the divisional round next week.
Eagles 24, 49ers 16
Barrett Brooks (11-6)
Let’s go! It’s playoff football this Sunday! I personally think that this is a rivalry game for the Eagles. The continual back and forth the past couple years has produced some great games. The 49ers are a good matchup for the Eagles. I love our chances to play a physical game against this team. The Eagles have gotten a chance to rest the starters, while the 49ers played a physical game against the Seahawks last week. They really put it all on the table to try and beat the Seahawks so they could get the No. 1 seed and a bye and they lost.
The key to this game will be Jalen Hurts’ being involved in the run game. This will keep the offense moving the chains and staying ahead of the sticks. The plus-1 effect with Hurts threatening the defense with his running ability will open up the running game holes and lift the top off the defense in the passing game.
Defensively, Vic Fangio vs. 49ers head coach Kyle Shananhan will be a heavyweight matchup. Both are extremely respected for their play-calling abilities. I think Fangio holds the better hand with the talent on the defensive side of the ball. This is why the game is played. These two teams have been staples in their divisions for the past 10 years and every meeting between them has been a slug fest. The more physical team usually wins the game. I think the Eagles will be that team and win comfortably.
Eagles 26, 49ers 17
Mike Mulhern (11-6)
The Eagles’ offense has not performed to the level many expected considering the talent on the field. But on Sunday there are quite a few reasons why they should be able to turn it on. They are rested, Lane Johnson has a good chance to be back, and Jalen Hurts has shown a penchant for stepping up when it matters most. Perhaps most importantly, the 49ers defense has been getting shredded. They lost a pair of All-Pro earlier this season in Nick Bosa and Fred Warner and it has been an uphill climb ever since. It’s a no-name unit with a pair of rookie cornerbacks and potentially two starting linebackers signed off the street. The Eagles should have a field day and Jalen Hurts’ legs will be a big factor in opening things up.
Defensively the blueprint will be simple: shut down the run game and keep Brock Purdy in the pocket. Kyle Shanahan will be forced to hope Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle can break tackles in space and Purdy can fit some passes into tight windows. Fortunately for the Eagles, they’re a great tackling team and they own the middle of the field. If they can get an early lead and turn the pass rush loose, they could coast. But we all know this team hasn’t made anything easy this season. Expect a grind it out game where a couple of deep passes and a turnover flip the script in the Eagles favor.
Eagles 23, 49ers 16
Ashlyn Sullivan (9-8)
In typical Eagles fashion this season… I think this is a low scoring, boring football game that Philadelphia barely wins. San Francisco’s defense isn’t particularly good at anything – last in the league in sacks and 24th in yards allowed per game. I don’t think the Eagles’ offense is going to look rejuvenated, but I do think if they can focus on positive plays on first down and limiting penalties. That will be enough to beat the 49ers. It all depends which Brocky Purdy shows up to Philadelphia — we have seen him be a game-changer this season or just an average quarterback. The Eagles’ defensive line has the toughest task of the afternoon going against the biggest positive for the 49ers, their offensive line. It comes down to the Eagles’ defensive line making some big-time plays. Win that matchup and you win the game.
Eagles 22, 49ers 16