49ers vs Eagles NFC Wild Card Round, preview, odds and prediction 

It’s the most mouthwatering matchup of the first round of the playoffs. Two teams that know each other all too well go head to head for a Sunday afternoon showdown from the City of Brotherly Love.

Philly preview

The defending Super Bowl champions are still in the hunt for a back to back bid as they look to turn their second title in franchise history into the next dynasty in the NFL. It’s been a season that has seen some ups and downs for Philly and as always their fans haven’t been silent when things get a little bumpy.

The Eagles won the NFC East, but the competition around the division wasn’t quite as tough as we were expecting. The Washington Commanders dropped off after their run to the NFC title game last year. The Cowboys finished below .500 and the Giants treaded towards the bottom of the NFL barrel. Despite the division win, things seem a little different in Philly this year.

For starters, Saquon Barkley rushed for just 1,140 yards after posting a 2,000 yard season last year. He had just three 100 yard games all season and the passing game has been in the bottom third of the league for the entire year. It’s been the Eagles defense that has made the difference for Philly this season. They give up just 19.1 points per game which is 5th best in the league, and when things get tight this team shows they know how to win. Eight of their 11 wins have come in one possession games, and that will benefit them once the playoffs come.

San Francisco preview

The Niners were in the running for the one seed in the NFC as recently as last week. They had a Saturday night showdown for the top spot in the conference against the Seattle Seahawks in the Bay, but couldn’t pull off the victory and now they have to go on the road and win if they are going to have any chance to win the Super Bowl in their own stadium.

It’s been a season that has been full of injuries and obstacles for the Niners, but some how San Fran has pulled though and not just been competitive, but they could have been the one seed. Brock Purdy battled a turf toe injury that kept him out in eight of the first 10 games of the season. Nick Bosa and Fred Warner both suffered season ending injuries in the middle of the season but Robert Saleh’s defense rallied despite being banged up all year.

Once Purdy returned, the Niners ratted off six straight wins as the offense turned on, averaging 35.6 points per game. Purdy 295+ yards from Week 15-17 but was held to just 127 yards in Week 17 against the Seahawks and Christian McCaffrey was held to just 23 yards on the ground. McCaffrey was just 76 receiving yards away from a 1,000 yard rushing and receiving season which would have been his second in his career, but he knows he is the engine that runs this team and he will have to have a huge game on Sunday in Philly.

Odds and prediction

These two teams know each other all too well by now. The NFC has gone through San Francisco or Philly for the last three years but now these two teams will meet in a first round match from the City of Brotherly Love.

• Odds: Eagles -3.5
• Over/Under: 46.5
• Moneyline: Eagles (-190), 49ers (+155)

This one is tough to call, and the result from Philly is largely going to depend on the availability of Trent Williams. The left tackle missed last game against the Seahawks, and the Niners offense struggled to move the ball. Even if they do get Trent back, it’s going to be tough against this Philly team that has made a habit of winning tight games late in the 4th quarter.

Eagles win 26-21.

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