There's no denying the task facing the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday will be difficult. Still, the team believes it's prepared—and confident that playing its best football will be enough to overcome the challenge.
The 49ers will travel to Philadelphia this weekend to face the Eagles in an NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field. The stakes couldn't be higher: the winner advances to the Divisional Round, while the loser sees its season come to an end.
San Francisco's offense appeared to be gaining momentum late in the season before stumbling in a Week 18 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. That defeat cost the 49ers home-field advantage and significantly complicated their path to the Super Bowl, forcing them to open the postseason on the road against the NFC East champions and defending Super Bowl victors.
So, what can the 49ers clean up heading into this win-or-go-home matchup?
"There's a number of things," fullback Kyle Juszczyk told DJ Siddiqi of RG.com. "I think a lot of it's going to come down to just execution, understanding our assignments, and going out there and playing a really physical game. Because Philadelphia, they're known for their physical brand of football, and as we are."
That execution will be put to the test in one of the most hostile environments in the NFL. Eagles fans are known for creating an atmosphere designed to disrupt opposing offenses and get into players' heads.
Injuries have forced several young players into prominent roles for the 49ers this season, and many will be experiencing a playoff road environment like Philadelphia for the first time. Veterans on the roster are doing their best to prepare them for what lies ahead.
"One, we've had guys that have played there, so we understand that," quarterback Brock Purdy said. "And obviously, guys that have been in the NFL that have played in Philly, they get that. But Kyle's (head coach Kyle Shanahan) done a good job, too, of, from the beginning of the week, showing this is the environment that we're going to go into, and we have to be ready for X, Y, and Z.
"So, I think, for the young guys, they have a good idea, but you're not going to know until you get there and you feel it. So, it's going to come down to execution in big moments and not allowing the environment to get you out of your zone. You've got to be locked in, however you can, for four quarters."
The 49ers offense ranks 10th in the NFL in both total yards and scoring, while the Eagles defense ranks 13th in yards allowed and fifth in points allowed. Still, with San Francisco battling injuries throughout the roster, most analysts see the 49ers as underdogs. Oddsmakers currently list Philadelphia as a five-point favorite.
"I feel like that's kind of strength versus strength," Juszczyk said. "We're going into a hostile environment. It's going to be loud. We've got to be able to communicate. Those are really some of the biggest things that we're harping on early here in the week. But we know we have a challenge ahead of us, and one that we're ready to face head on."
Comments