Would have preferred the fog in SF but I’ll take a raining day in Philly for an historic upset!
San Francisco 49ers +215 @ Philadelphia Eagles
49ers +5.5
Over 44.5
San Francisco 49ers +215 @ Philadelphia Eagles
49ers +5.5
Over 44.5
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This could be another classic matchup if both teams show up, but will they?
The panel thinks the Eagles will be the first defending champion to go one-and-done in the playoffs since the 2019 Patriots. (The 2022 Rams didn’t qualify for the playoffs, which is objectively worse.)
One should surmise the good Eagles will show up for the postseason. They had two four-game winning streaks, sandwiched around a two-game slide, and they flipped a three-game losing streak with a three-game winning streak down the stretch before resting their stars in the finale.
If there’s ever been a time to shake off a season’s worth of frustration, it’s now for Saquon Barkley and a running game that dropped from No. 2 in 2024 to No. 18 this season.
“Saquon will be the difference-maker,” an executive said. “He needs to carry it 20-plus times against the San Francisco run defense, and keep the Niners offense off the field as much as they can.”
A second executive added, “Their offense will control the game on the ground.”
The Eagles were 4-1 this season when Barkley tallied at least 20 carries.
“The Niners are so beat up,” a third executive said. “They’re starting their fourth and fifth middle linebackers, and the pass rush isn’t there.”
The Niners finished last in the NFL this season with 20 sacks — six behind the 31st-ranked Jets and the fewest in the league since the 2022 Bears also tallied just 20 sacks.
While the 49ers are clearly well-versed in dealing with injury issues, running back Christian McCaffrey has been their stalwart this season. The NFL Offensive Player of the Year candidate played every game for the second time since 2020, and his 2,126 yards from scrimmage were more than he had in 2023 when he led the NFL. However, one observer believed McCaffrey was wearing down by the end of the season.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan has won two playoff games in all four of his appearances, and he’s 2-1 against Eagles boss Nick Sirianni. But that defeat happened three years ago in the NFC Championship Game when quarterback Brock Purdy injured his elbow.
An executive who picked the Niners called them “winners who will find a way.”
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Could be the repeat of Indiana vs Oregon CFP semi...Comment -
And we got wind at the game, too!Comment -
Any good lip readers here? What did Sirianni just say to AJ Brown
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I saw a few F bombs in there.Comment -
WTF is this?
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