Familiar rivals clash again, but injuries and evolving offenses mean this playoff showdown is anything but predictable. Who adapts best?
It’s wildcard weekend in Philadelphia, and once again the Eagles and 49ers find themselves sharing the same postseason path. While these teams did not meet during the regular season, there is plenty of shared history and mutual respect as they collide in the NFC Wild Card round.
Both teams enter the postseason far different than they looked earlier in the year. The 49ers limped to the finish line physically, while the Eagles spent much of the season searching for offensive consistency. What unfolds Saturday will likely come down to which team best adapts to its shortcomings and which one can lean into its remaining strengths.
When the 49ers Have the Ball
San Francisco’s offense is still built around Christian McCaffrey, even if the efficiency hasn’t always matched the volume. McCaffrey touches the ball in nearly every way imaginable, functioning as both a traditional runner and a short-yardage passing option. The offense is at its best when those touches force defenses to compress and open up play-action and misdirection.
That puts pressure on Philadelphia’s linebackers, an area the Eagles feel far more confident in than in previous seasons. With Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, and Jihaad Campbell, Philadelphia has speed and coverage ability in the middle of the field. How well the Eagles can limit yards after the catch, particularly on McCaffrey dump-offs and George Kittle crossers, will shape the rhythm of the game.
Quarterback Brock Purdy remains a fascinating piece of this matchup. He’s comfortable extending plays and throwing on the move, but that comfort can sometimes invite risk. The Eagles’ defensive front doesn’t need sacks to influence him. With the interior offensive line being inconsistent, pressure that collapses the pocket and forces quick decisions could be just as effective.
The status of Trent Williams looms large. Even at less than 100 percent, he is the stabilizing force on San Francisco’s offensive line. If Philadelphia can generate power up the middle and prevent Purdy from escaping, the Niners’ offense becomes far more manageable.
When the Eagles Have the Ball
Philadelphia’s offense enters the postseason still searching for a defining trait. The talent is obvious, between Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert give the Eagles matchup advantages all over the field, but the execution throughout this season has been uneven.
San Francisco’s defensive injuries could provide a path forward. The 49ers are severely thinned at linebacker, forcing them to rely on veterans and depth players in critical coverage roles. That creates opportunities for tempo, motion, and middle-of-the-field concepts, particularly involving tight ends and backs in space.
The Eagles’ offensive line advantage also stands out. If Philadelphia can establish physicality early, it opens up everything else. The offensive line will dictate if play-action, run-pass options, and potentially more designed quarterback movements are open. Hurts has run less as the season has gone on, but playoff football has a way of pulling those elements back into the game plan.
San Francisco’s pass rush, meanwhile, has struggled to consistently affect quarterbacks since losing Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams. Without a dominant edge presence, the burden shifts to coverage and tackling, which has been very hit or miss (pun intended) as the season has gone on.
A Game About Identity
Can the 49ers compensate for injuries with discipline, tackling, and offensive precision? Can the Eagles finally settle into an offensive approach that feels decisive and confident?
Both teams know each other well philosophically. Both coaching staffs understand the pressure points. What separates them Saturday will be execution and communication.
Eagles vs. 49ers feels familiar, but the version of each team taking the field this weekend is anything but.