After losing to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18, the San Francisco 49ers head out on the road for their Wild Card Round game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 11.
Nonetheless, the inability to win that game over the Seahawks could come back to haunt the Niners. Rather than having the entire NFC team needing to head to Northern California, the 49ers need to head out on the road to the East Coast against the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Furthermore, the 49ers drawing the Eagles is the worst-case scenario for San Francisco, according to NFL analyst Brian Baldinger.
“It’s the worst matchup,” Baldinger said during a Jan. 6 appearance on 95.7 The Game. “The whole offensive line rested, the receivers rested, the quarterback, the running back. You’re going to get very rested [Eagles team]. Jalen Carter is rested. He told me he’s healthy. His shoulder has been bothering him all year. He had some procedures done. Jaelan Phillips rested. They’re going to be Cooper DeJean [and] Quinyon Mitchell. Everybody took the week off to get ready for this game. You’re going to see the Eagles fully rested.
“I would think that Trent will be back, and Pearsall will be back, which will help. They don’t have Seattle scheme, which is good. But it’ll be interesting to see. The Eagles offense has not been good all year. They take long naps during games. I don’t care what game it is—long stretches where they’re three and out. They haven’t been good. Maybe with the rest, maybe they’ll be better.”
Eagles Know What to Expect from 49ers QB Brock Purdy
Moreover, the Niners will need a bounce-back performance from Brock Purdy. Purdy went 19-for-27 on his pass attempts while recording 127 passing yards, one interception, and having a 64.9 passer rating. Additionally, he was sacked three times by the Seahawks’ defense.
Nonetheless, despite the challenging performance in Week 18, the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, understands that Purdy can harm his unit and aren’t taking the QB lightly.
“He’s a scrambler,” Fangio said while speaking to reporters on Jan. 6 . “When he’s scrambling, he’s looking down the field. His eyes go down the field. He’s wanting to throw out of the scramble before he decides to run it. He’s very good at it. They have a lot of maximum play-action type protections, where he’s going to have some time anyway. Then, if he doesn’t like what he sees, can buy even the more time. And I think that’s why his average is up there so high, as far as holding the ball.”
49ers Add to Its Linebacker Depth Before Playoff Game
Moreover, the 49ers reportedly signed a player right before their game against the Eagles. On Jan. 6, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported, citing sources, that the 49ers have agreed to a deal with veteran LB Kyzir White, who played for the Eagles in 2022 among other teams.
This news comes after Matt Barrows of The Athletic reported on Jan. 5 that Tatum Bethune is done for the season with a groin injury.
Additionally, Linebackers Dee Winters, dealing with an ankle issue, and Luke Gifford, nursing a quad injury, will be re-evaluated later this week. Nonetheless, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence in Eric Kendrick’s ability to step in for Bethune.
“He’s been here long enough,” Shanahan said on Jan. 5 (h/t 49ers Web Zone ). “These games he’s gotten in, in the last couple of weeks, he’s done a good job of, and I’m glad that we got him for this situation.”
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