The regular season came to a disappointing end, and an opportunity to secure a top conference seed was missed last Saturday night as the San Francisco 49ers succumbed to the Seattle Seahawks 13-3. The score was not indicative of the game's overall tenor, as Seattle was superb defensively, allowing just 173 yards and forcing a crucial turnover in the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey could not get any semblance of an offensive attack, while Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold played mistake-free football. The final score was deceiving, considering how thoroughly dominant Seattle played. Outside of missed opportunities in the red zone, the Seahawks rushed for 180 yards, controlled possession to nearly a two-to-one ratio, got the game's only turnover, and sustained drives enough with their third-down efficiency.
The dream of extended rest and no travel was there for the taking, and the 49ers slipped, massively.
With the playoff bracket set, the 49ers have the arduous task of being road warriors for however long their run lasts. And this week, the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles are on tap.
As battle-tested as the Eagles are, and after a solid 11-6 season, statistically, the metrics don't add up, ranking in the bottom tier in passing and total yards per game. The production of Eagles running back Saquon Barkley took a step back after a historic 2024 season.
The passing numbers of quarterback Jalen Hurts are not overly impressive, throwing for less than 200 yards in 9 of 17 games despite a near 4-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Throughout Philadelphia's roster, there's talent galore, especially on defense. Defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, along with All-Pro defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, are the standouts and are all on rookie contracts. The Eagles rank in the top 10 in passing yards and points per game allowed.
This will be the third playoff matchup between the 49ers and Eagles, the most recent in 2023. In the previous postseason meeting, Philadelphia won in a walk because the 49ers ran out of able-bodied quarterbacks. Despite all the roster deficiencies, San Francisco hopes to rewrite its own history Sunday and break the stalemate.
5 - SKYY MOORE
Special teams could be a big factor in terms of which team makes the big play or avoids the bigger mistake. Eagles punter Braden Mann is averaging 50 yards a kick, yet kicker Jake Elliott has missed seven field goal attempts.
Skyy Moore does not get many targets to be relevant as a receiver, but is still dangerous in the return game, ranking in the top ten in yards on punts and kickoffs. Expectations should be moderated, but since Moore rarely calls for a fair catch, there will be opportunities at least to change field position.
4 - BRYCE HUFF
It's no secret the 49ers rank last in the NFL in sacks. Defensive end Bryce Huff hasn't recorded more than three tackles or a sack since Week 9, but there is familiarity with the Eagles.
Huff played in 12 games last year, was hampered by wrist and shoulder injuries, and was limited in the playoffs. Christian McCaffrey dominated Carolina in an ugly game in Week 12. There's something ingrained in players to step up and be impactful against a former team, especially those who win the Super Bowl in which they're inactive.
Anything resembling a pressure or tackle for loss for Huff this week would go a long way in confidence for a decimated unit.
3 - JAKE BRENDEL
The measurables on Jake Brendel's season have been hot and cold. He has been top tier among all NFL centers in run blocking but has struggled in pass protection, earning a 59.0 grade from Pro Football Focus despite not allowing any sacks.
Right tackle Colton McKivitz has been solid, and left tackle Trent Williams looks as though he's going to play, so when McCaffrey and backup running back Brian Robinson are not breaking carries outside, they'll be between the tackles right behind Brendel.
Establishing a run game will be critical early on. Still, as long as Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, or any rotational Eagles defensive lineman don't wreck the game, the 49ers have a chance. Some of that responsibility will fall on Brendel.
2 - UPTON STOUT
The only player that stood out in an otherwise ugly game against Seattle was cornerback Upton Stout, who was excellent. He played limited snaps in the nickel spot, but was targeted three times for two receptions and minimal yardage.
Stout's season has been inconsistent. Penalties and coverage breakdowns have occurred often, but his aggressive style of blitzing passers (NFL-leading 10 pressures from corners), support in the run game, and his overall play have been solid since November.
Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown is the big target outside, which presumably cornerback Deommodore Lenoir will mark. Still, Stout will focus on slot players like DeVonta Smith and Jahan Dotson, especially on third downs.
Stout needs to ensure his tackling is stout and avoid holding or pass interference penalties.
1 - ERIC KENDRICKS
The fourth middle linebacker to wear the green dot after Fred Warner, Tatum Bethune, and Curtis Robinson is Eric Kendricks. Depending on the status of Dee Winters, the linebackers this round will consist of seldom-used Garret Wallow and Kyzir White, who signed this week.
Kendricks played the final weeks of the regular season, and while the 11th-year man has dipped in speed and coverage, Robert Saleh is hoping to trust the veteran out of necessity more than skill.
When it comes to a Jalen Hurts scramble or Tush Push, defending Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert on shorter routes and tackling running backs Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby at the second level, Kendricks will likely be in the center of it all.
Getting off the field on third downs to prevent sustained Eagles drives will be vital in turning the game into an ugly slugfest, which is what the 49ers prefer.