NFC Championship game prediction
NFC Championship: 49ers at Eagles (3:00 PM ET).
This matchup is probably the toughest out of the two matchups this weekend to predict, however I have come to the conclusion that the Eagles are going to the Super Bowl. As much as I love the 49ers, and the underdog story of Brock Purdy, I just can’t pick them to win this game. The Eagles have taken the NFL by storm this year, however, it wasn’t all that surprising. With the addition of AJ Brown in the offseason, as well as a number of difference makers on defense highlighted by the likes of Hasson Reddick and CJ Gardener-Johnson, the Eagles looked scary from the get-go. However, the real story comes from Jalen Hurts, who has taken his play to a whole new level.
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Through the regular season, he has completed 66% of his passes for 3,701 yards and 22 passing touchdowns, to only 6 interceptions, while also rushing for another 760 yards off 4.6 yards per carry and 13 touchdowns. His versatility makes him lethal, and also surprisingly makes the Eagles’ run game even better. Through fake handoffs and play action designed runs, defenders are always left uncertain about which Eagle, Hurts or Miles Sanders, has the ball. This is the toughest thing the San Francisco front seven are going to have to deal with. When Jalen Hurts is looking to pass the ball, an equally tall task awaits the San Francisco defense, which is guarding the dynamic receiving core of AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, both of whom have surpassed 1100 receiving yards this season, and both of whom are top 10 in receiving yards among all wide receivers. AJ Brown, who makes defenders look silly when faced with contested catches, would be somewhat of a DK Metcalf type of player, someone the 49ers struggled with in the Wild Card game against Seattle. Both receivers also have a nose for the endzone, racking up 18 combined touchdowns out of the 22 that Jalen Hurts has thrown. If they take care of those two, Dallas Geodert remains a top threat in this matchup, proving that he can be a difference maker, both blocking and catching the ball. , I have full confidence that Kyle Shanahan will come up with something to shut them down.
Someone who I don’t have full confidence in is Brock Purdy, and he is the reason I don’t see San Francisco winning this game.
Hear me out, I think Brock Purdy is a very talented, poised quarterback who has the mobility to escape the pocket when necessary. I also think that he has a lot of talented veterans surrounding him, as well as a very capable head coach and offensive coordinator. But is that enough? Against a very tough Cowboys defense, Purdy completed 65% of his passes for 214 yards and no scores. He also didn’t turn the ball over, partially due to a missed interception by Trevon Diggs, something that may not repeat itself against the Eagles. The Eagles defense is not someone to sleep on. They lead the league with 70 sacks during the regular season, powered by Hasson Reddick, who had 16 sacks during the regular season, and picked up 1.5 sacks against the Giants. CJ Gardener-Johnson has 6 interceptions on the season, tied for first in the league. Last week, the Eagles picked off an otherwise careful Daniel Jones, and held them to 227 total yards. While of course, the 49ers are miles better than the Giants, the quarterback situation for the 49ers is unfortunate, and while I would love Brock Purdy to go to the Super Bowl, I just can’t due to his inexperience.
If you enjoyed reading this, I made one about the AFC championship game as well, go check it out!
