Sunday | 4:25 ET
The Eagles and 49ers are two of the hottest teams in the NFL right now, and will provide the league an entertaining game in Week 13’s late afternoon slot. Philadelphia is fresh off of a thrilling overtime victory over Buffalo, and now sit at 10-1 after defeating the Cowboys, Chiefs and Bills all in a row. They are doing incredible things right now and always seem to find a way to come out on top. San Fransisco is 8-3 and winners of their last three contests. Each of those wins was in convincing fashion, two of them against teams in playoff position (Jaguars, Seahawks). In addition, this game is personal to the 49ers. After getting crushed by the Eagles in the NFC Championship game last season, they’ll leave it all out on the field this Sunday.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense will face the monumental task of producing against the 49ers defense. The unit has allowed the second-least total points this season (despite still having its bye week in its pocket), allows the fourth-least yards per play, and is littered with star-power. Fred Warner ranks first out of 81 qualified linebackers in PFF grade, and Joey Bosa ranks second out of 105 qualified edge rushers in the same stat. Led by Bosa (8 sacks) and bolstered by Javon Hargrave (6 sacks) Arik Armstead (5 sacks), the 49ers defense ranks first in PFF pass rush grade. It will be fascinating to see what it can do against Philadelphia’s offensive line, which is probably the best the league has to offer.
The Eagles are ninth in net yards per pass attempt and 16th in yards per carry. They aren’t extremely efficient in either, but they always find a way to combat the defense that they are facing. After a slow first half against the Bills this past week, Philadelphia turned to D’Andre Swift in the run game and found success. San Fransisco’s defense is very good against both the run and the pass (the group has given up the second-least rushing yards and ranks second in PFF coverage grade), so there is no reason for the Eagles to stray from a balanced attack on offense. Strategy-wise, I expect the Eagles to hammer quick passes. Wide receiver AJ Brown is great in the slant game, although he will face a tough matchup in cornerback Charvarius Ward. This side of the ball is completely dependent on the battle in the trenches, however. Whomever wins that will have the upper hand.
Flipping sides, we have another great battle. The 49ers are the most efficient passing offense in the NFL, ranking first in net yards per pass attempt. With WR Deebo Samuel, TE George Kittle, and RB Christian McCaffrey, it relies upon yards after the catch (YAC). The Eagles defense has given up the 13th-most YAC this year. It has also allowed the fourth-most passing yards and second-most passing touchdowns. The 49ers could feast through the air.
However, the reason that the Eagles have been able to win with such poor coverage stats is behind its pass rush. DT Jalen Carter and co. have accounted for the most QB pressures in the NFL this year. While San Fransisco has a Hall of Famer in Trent Williams at left tackle, the rest of the line is far from perfect. The unit ranks 28th in PFF pass block grade, but has allowed the fourth-least sacks. If the numbers are any indicator, I’d expect the Eagles to force constant pressure upon 49ers QB Brock Purdy, but only get home a few times. Head coach Kyle Shanahan is aware of Phidelphia’s dangerous pass rush, and will scheme up many ways to get the ball out quickly. Even against other teams, this is a staple of the Shanahan offense. The way I see it, the 49ers won’t have to change their passing offensive attack too much.
Ultimately, I find myself leaning against the Eagles for the second week in a row. The 49ers are playing very well right now on both sides of the ball. In my opinion, whoever wins the battle in the trenches when the Eagles have the ball wins.