How are you feeling about this matchup?
Four more wins.
That’s what stands between the Philadelphia Eagles and repeating as Super Bowl champions.
Are the Birds capable of making another run?
Yes.
There are no playoff teams so great that they simply can’t beat them.
The biggest obstacle is likely themselves.
The 2025 Eagles have too often made it harder than it needs to be. Specifically on offense, where the NFL’s most expensive group has underperformed.
Can this unit flip the switch in the postseason now that they’re healthier and their season is on the line?
I won’t say it’s impossible. But I’d like to see it before I fully believe it.
We do know Jalen Hurts has another gear he can hit. And it’d be good to see some of that from him on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
The 2025 Eagles have failed to take advantage of vulnerable defenses before, so, in that sense it wouldn’t be surprising if they don’t carve through the 49ers like a hot knife through butter. Not to mention that the cold and windy conditions at Lincoln Financial Field might not be conducive to offensive success.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. But it does have to be enough. And there’s no good reason for the Eagles to not muster enough points while going up against the worst defense in the playoffs. It won’t be surprising if it’s more of the same … but it will be no less frustrating.
We can expect Vic Fangio’s defense to make this game winnable for the Eagles. Yes, the 49ers’ offense was cooking prior to a Week 18 loss. But the Eagles’ defensive coordinator has historically had Kyle Shanahan’s number. The Eagles’ pass rush has been very good in the second half of the season and that unit should be able to make life difficult for Brock Purdy, who is holding the ball longer than ever in his career.
Speaking of benefit of the doubt, the Eagles have never lost at home in the playoffs during the Nick Sirianni/Jalen Hurts era. They’re 5-0 in those games. They should be 6-0 after today.
It might be harder than it has to be. That would be incredibly on brand.
But they’ll probably find a way to get it done, regardless of how it looks.
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Score prediction: 19 to 13, Eagles win.
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Category: General Sports
