The San Francisco 49ers insist that they never look beyond their next opponent. However, several players likely circled the upcoming NFC Championship Game rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles on their calendars when the schedule was released in May.
Following their 31-13 Thanksgiving win over division-rival Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers are enjoying their latest triumph. The players are set to enjoy a mini-bye after the Thursday game. Still, the focus will shift on Monday when they return to the Santa Clara facilities to prepare for the highly anticipated Week 13 clash between NFC powerhouses.
"We'll turn to the Eagles on Monday," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after the game. "We'll take this break and enjoy it. Hopefully, our guys can get healthy and cleaned up, and we'll come in Monday ready to go."
The 49ers started the season 5-0 but struggled in three consecutive losses after that. The team has rebounded nicely, winning three straight games.
The victory against the Seahawks at Lumen Field adds a sweet note to the short break. It marked the 49ers' fourth consecutive win against Seattle, including last season's playoff meeting.
However, with their NFL-best 9-1 record, the Eagles pose a formidable challenge. The upcoming matchup could play a crucial role in shaping the playoff picture.
"We'll enjoy this one, but obviously a big game coming up," linebacker Fred Warner said. "Haven't really thought about it because we had to take care of business here, but we'll be ready when that time comes."
For quarterback Brock Purdy, Week 13 signifies a return to the venue where he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his throwing arm. The injury led to offseason surgery and an extensive recovery for the second-year player.
Purdy admits that he isn't quite ready to shift his focus to the Eagles, stating, "We just won on Thanksgiving. We're going to enjoy this one. We're going to take the next couple of days to recover and clear our minds and whatnot. And when we get to the game plan, we'll get to it next week. But I'm enjoying it right now."
Still, Purdy understands the significance of the season-defining rematch in Philadelphia.
"Obviously, it's going to be a big one on the road and stuff," Purdy added. "We know that. Everyone knows that. But we're just taking one day at a time, and we're going to enjoy this one."