Eagles vs. 49ers: A Grudge Match Defined by Attrition and Anxiety

Zach Fowler1 week agoLast Updated: Friday, January 9th, 2026 11:47 AM

Key Takeaways

The Rematch: Sunday marks the first playoff meeting since the infamous 2022 NFC Championship Game where Brock Purdy tore his UCL.
Defensive Extremes: The Eagles boast the NFL’s #1 scoring defense since Week 10 (15.6 PPG), while the 49ers recorded a franchise-low 20 sacks this season.
Injury Crisis: San Francisco enters as a “MASH unit,” missing defensive anchors Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, while Trent Williams is questionable.
Running Back Royalty: A clash of the last two Offensive Players of the Year: Christian McCaffrey (2023) vs. Saquon Barkley (2024).

PHILADELPHIA — The ghost of the 2022 NFC Championship Game still haunts this matchup. On that day, the 49ers lost their quarterback on the first drive, and the Eagles marched effortlessly to a 31-7 rout. Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field offers a shot at redemption, but neither heavyweight arrives in peak condition.

This isn’t just a game; it’s a survival test. Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers are limping into the postseason with a defense stripped of its stars, including Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Meanwhile, the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles are battling an identity crisis, with Nick Sirianni’s offense sputtering just when it matters most.

Can Hurts Exploit the ‘Zombie’ Defense?

The narrative entering Sunday is bizarre but undeniable: The San Francisco 49ers cannot rush the passer. It sounds like fiction for a franchise built on defensive line dominance, yet the stats paint a grim picture.

Robert Saleh’s defensive unit finished last in the NFL with a meager 20 sacks and tied for second-fewest with just six interceptions. They are the first team in history to secure a playoff berth with such anemic disruption numbers. Since Week 5, the Niners have surrendered 358.6 yards per game (7th most in the NFL).

This should be the remedy for an Eagles offense that has frustrated the Philly faithful all year. Averaging just 22.3 points per game (19th in the league), Jalen Hurts and coordinator Kevin Patullo have struggled to find a rhythm. The unit ranks 23rd in passing yards and posted a league-high 28.1% three-and-out rate.

However, Hurts has one massive advantage: ball security. The Eagles are 11-2 when he avoids an interception. Against a toothless Niners pass rush, he should have clean pockets to target A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Strength vs. Strength: Purdy’s Blitzkrieg Meets Fangio’s Wall

While the Niners’ defense is reeling, their offense remains a Ferrari—even if the bumper is hanging off. Since Brock Purdy returned in Week 11, San Francisco averaged a scorching 35.7 points per game until a Week 18 stumble.

The chess match to watch is Purdy targeting George Kittle against Vic Fangio’s suffocating secondary. Purdy boasts a 140.6 passer rating when targeting tight ends, but the Eagles have allowed the lowest rating (72.2) to the position league-wide.

“Since Week 10, the Eagles have allowed 15.6 points per game, the fewest in the NFL.”

Philadelphia’s defense has been championship-caliber. Rookie corners Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have erased passing lanes. Mitchell allowed a staggering 41.7% completion rate (tied for 1st in NFL), while DeJean locked down the slot with a league-best 48.8% allowed.

The Ground War: CMC vs. Saquon

Saturday features the last two AP Offensive Players of the Year, but their trajectories entering the playoffs are vastly different.

Christian McCaffrey (49ers): The volume king. CMC led the NFL with 413 touches, but efficiency has waned. He averaged a career-low 3.9 yards per carry since his rookie year and struggled to generate explosive plays (only three runs of 20+ yards).

Saquon Barkley (Eagles): The late bloomer. After a slow start, Barkley has ignited, averaging 100 yards per game on 4.9 yards per carry over the last month. While he hasn’t replicated his 2,005-yard MVP campaign of 2024, he enters the postseason with fresher legs and momentum.

Injury Report: The Attrition Factor

The disparity in health is glaring. While the Eagles await the return of Lane Johnson (foot), the 49ers are decimated.

San Francisco 49ers

OUT/DOUBTFUL: Ricky Pearsall (WR), Luke Gifford (LB), Keion White (DE), Dee Winters (LB)
QUESTIONABLE/DNP: Trent Williams (OT – Hamstring)
LIMITED: George Kittle (TE), Yetur Gross-Matos (DE)

Philadelphia Eagles

LIMITED/EXPECTED TO PLAY: Lane Johnson (OT), Dallas Goedert (TE), Jalen Carter (DT), Jaelan Phillips (LB)

What’s Next?

If the Eagles’ offensive line stabilizes with Lane Johnson’s return, they have the firepower to bury a 49ers defense that literally cannot pressure the quarterback. But if Kyle Shanahan can isolate Philly’s run defense (ranked 22nd) and unleash McCaffrey, San Francisco has a puncher’s chance to steal a win in a hostile environment.