49ers

49ers

via free use

Rikin Patel, Sports Editor

When QB Jimmy Garoppolo suffered an ankle injury in Week 12 and Brock Purdy got the starting position, the 49er’s future appeared bleak. Instead, Purdy kept the 49ers offense strong and built upon their win streak dating back to Week 8. Going into a conference championship at the Eagles stadium, the 49ers are 4-3 on the road and played only two with Purdy, a 21-13 win over Seattle and 37-34 OT win at Las Vegas. Against the No. 1 pass defense and a team that has 19 more sacks than any other team in the league, it’s a giant leap from Seattle and Las Vegas. Then there’s the 49er’s achilles heel: deep passes. The 49ers defense has gained the reputation of being stout, but when it matters most, they allow chunk plays that set opposing teams up for 6. Combine blown coverage and an explosive Eagles passing attack and it’s easy to predict the Eagles up top in the first half.  

 

Coming from a 49ers fan, the chance of victory is tiny. The singular possibility of winning rests in a strong 49ers rushing attack that can establish a tempo, set up play action and retake the game. As long as the 49ers rush defense can hold the Eagles run game to minimal yards per play, they can prevent the Eagles from controlling the play clock.