Eagles vs. 49ers: What to Watch For

Hurts also rushed for 760 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection despite missing two games with a shoulder injury. Hurts’s rushing ability, coupled with his arm, has allowed the Eagles to thrive in Coach Nick Sirianni’s run-pass option offense, a scheme that allows the quarterback to hand the ball off or throw to a receiver depending on the reaction of the defense. The quarterback dispelled concerns about his shoulder by completing a 40-yard pass on his second play of the divisional-round win against the Giants.

The Eagles’ offensive line, led by center Jason Kelce and tackle Lane Johnson, is one of the best in the N.F.L., allowing the Eagles to rush for 147.6 yards per game, the fifth-most in the league. Defensively, the Eagles secured the most sacks (70) and allowed the fewest passing yards per game (179.8), largely because of players Roseman traded for or added in free agency in the last three years, such as cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry and linebacker Haason Reddick.

A surprising Brock Purdy

The Eagles will face a 49ers offense led by the rookie quarterback Brock Purdy, who began the season at the bottom of the depth chart. But he was inserted midway through the year after injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo.

He transitioned seamlessly.

The 49ers have won 12 consecutive games, including the seven games Purdy has started since Garoppolo’s foot injury against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 4. Purdy, the last pick of the 2022 N.F.L. draft, has played efficiently under Coach Kyle Shanahan, who also acts as the offense’s play caller. Purdy has thrown just four interceptions while adding 1,374 yards and 13 touchdowns in nine games. But his success is also tied to the offensive weapons around him.

Lynch in October traded for the star running back Christian McCaffrey, whose ambidextrous rushing and receiving skills align with Shanahan’s desire to capitalize on players’ ability to run after the catch and position them in different areas of the field. McCaffrey, who has posted 1,403 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns since joining San Francisco, complements the versatile receiver Deebo Samuel and adds to a crop of targets that also include tight end George Kittle and receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/29/sports/football/nfc-eagles-49ers-watch.html