Eagles no longer NFC’s most dominant team after 42-19 loss to 49ers
The 49ers’ stunning 42-19 comeback on Sunday was largely defined by a statement made by George Kittle, who bemoaned the team’s defeat in the NFC Championship Game the previous time around.
Kittle remarked following January’s 31-7 defeat, “You didn’t really get to see all the 49er football that we wanted to put out there on tape.” “But sometimes you just get punched in the face by life.”
During a sideline altercation that only momentarily stopped the 49ers’ momentum, Dre Greenlaw hit the Eagles’ security chief in the face. On Sunday, the 49ers scored touchdowns on six straight plays to take the lead.
Deebo Samuel, the 49ers’ most outspoken opponent of the Eagles following last season’s defeat in which quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a ruptured elbow ligament that rendered the offense useless, scored three of those touchdowns.
According to defensive end Nick Bosa, “We wanted some payback.” “We made an effort not to dwell too much on the previous year, but we were confident that we could compete with them and surpass them, so we made a strong argument. It goes without saying that we could have to do it to them again.
The 49ers (9-3) won their fourth straight game and gained significant momentum in the NFC playoff race. With five games left in the regular season, they are one game behind the Eagles (10-2). After their bye, the 49ers had played three road games in the last four weeks. They play the Seattle Seahawks (6-6), whom they defeated 31-13 in Seattle on Thanksgiving, at home on Sunday.
Purdy’s performance this season has been even more impressive than that of his Eagles rival, Jalen Hurts, who was momentarily sidelined for a concussion assessment following a forceful hit from Greenlaw’s replacement, Oren Burks. Purdy finished with a passer rating of 148.8, throwing for 314 yards and four touchdowns with just two sacks and no interceptions—neither of which brought back memories of the hit that injured his elbow six snaps into the NFC Championship Game loss.
Retaliation was downplayed by Purdy, who stated, “We needed this game.” It was a crucial game. “I’m going to show everybody what could have been” was not something I wanted to become sidetracked from.
Trent Williams, a left tackle, stated, “I had full confidence we’d have this kind of game from the jump.” The fact that we have a quarterback made things simpler this time.
Six consecutive touchdown drives by the 49ers covered 85, 90, 75, 77, 75, and 47 yards against a reeling Eagles defense that had played 95 snaps in a thrilling victory over the Buffalo Bills the week before. Since joining the 49ers in 2019, Bosa claimed he has never felt more confident in their offensive, and they haven’t gone on a six-pack binge like they did in 1992.
“We play a very physical style of football, and that’s what we did,” Samuel remarked.
A play in the third quarter that cost the 49ers 25 yards and resulted in Greenlaw’s ejection for a left-hand jab at Eagles security chief Dom DiSandro momentarily obscured all of that domination. Ambry Thomas’ shoddy coverage allowed DeVonta Smith to get a 13-yard reception. Greenlaw then suplex-slammed Smith to the ground close to the Eagles’ sideline, setting off a dispute with DiSandro, who was also removed and received a standing ovation from Eagles fans.
I really did try not to freak out. It just amazes me that someone who isn’t playing the game can make fun of our athletes and shove their hands in their faces. Coach Kyle Shanahan stated, “I was told Dre did it back to him, that he mashed him in the face,” adding that Nick Sirianni of the Eagles “wasn’t a fan on the play, either, and he handled it with total class.”
Hurts scored on a 1-yard run five plays later, marking the Eagles’ second consecutive try at their trademark “Brotherly Shove” quarterback sneak. Eagles supporters went into overdrive when the 49ers’ lead was reduced to 21–13. One fan even slapped his hands against the press box windows that slid open, but he was not removed from the stadium.
With 3:54 remaining in the fourth quarter, Samuel’s 48-yard catch-and-run touchdown, his second of the game, gave the 49ers a 28–13 lead. The clamor of the home crowd from the drama of Hurts’ touchdown and Greenlaw’s dismissal was muffled.
With 5 1/2 minutes remaining, the Eagles responded with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Hurts to DeVonta Smith after Purdy converted an 18-yard third-down throw to Jauan Jennings to give them a 35-13 lead. The 49ers refused to allow the Eagles to extend their winning streak of four games in which they had overcome deficits at halftime.
Samuel completed his touchdown hat trick and safely extended the advantage to 23 points just 14 seconds and two snaps after Smith’s touchdown. He did this by speeding past dazed defenders on a 46-yard catch-and-run.
Standin’ on business#SFvsPHI on FOX
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 4, 2023
NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/3jPiH53mu7
Samuel is the perfect example of selflessness, according to Bosa. “Being paid puts pressure on him to be the guy.” Having so many guys means that opportunities won’t present themselves too frequently. I adore his ability to speak, establish the scene, enter a dangerous situation, and simply flourish. That is excellence.
Samuel said, “My specialty is breaking tackles and getting into open space. That’s what I do well.” To be honest, I was totally immersed in the moment.
Just 3:19 into the second half, Samuel scored his first touchdown on a 12-yard touchdown run to put the 49ers ahead 21–6. Jennings (18 yards) and McCaffrey (33 yards) completed third-down passes to sustain the drive. Purdy’s protection during those lengthy completions—which included Colton McKivitz pushing Haason Reddick aside to make room for Jennings to complete—should not be disregarded.
McCaffrey became the first 49ers rusher to reach 1,000 yards since Frank Gore in 2014 with his 93 yards (one touchdown) to extend his NFL-leading total to 1,032 yards.
If a touchdown drive in the second quarter can be given too much credit, the 49ers were worthy of it twice.
The 49ers were behind 6-0 and had only gained minus-6 yards after their first two possessions. The 49ers used virtually the last 4 ½ minutes of the first half to march 85 yards for a touchdown (Brandon Aiyuk’s 2-yard reception of Purdy’s play-action pass) and then 90 yards for an encore score (McCaffrey’s 2-yard run) before the Q2 earnings call.
Earlier key receptions by Kittle and Samuel, including a third-down conversion catch, came before Aiyuk’s diving touchdown catch. The longest pass came when Kittle sneaked out for a 32-yard catch-and-run to the 10-yard line after first blocking Reddick. Purdy started the goal-to-go drill with a high-stepping escape to the 4-yard line. Following an Eagles offside penalty and an incomplete pass to Kittle, Purdy completed a play-action ball for Aiyuk’s fourth straight game with a touchdown catch.
Despite gaining 120 yards on their opening two possessions, the Eagles had to settle for field goals because of the 49ers’ excellent red zone defense.
Charvarius Ward, who has now accomplished this accomplishment in four straight games, broke up a touchdown-saving throw in the end zone during the first series. The Eagles got as far as the 14-yard line on their second possession, but Hurts blew up in the pocket and Arik Armstead was called for a sack.
“Even though the score was just 6-0, we managed to persevere and got into rhythm,” Shanahan remarked.
Purdy said, “No one was freaking out.” We have to think of successful plays and build momentum from them. To set things in motion, I required a finish, which we achieved. We were able to establish a rhythm by following Kyle’s play calls to quickly remove the ball from my hands.
Kyle Shanahan went to the locker room after the game and told his team https://x.com/49ers/status/1731503184282345549?s=20
“I cant tell you how proud i am on this team. The coolest part for me was the 1st qtr and i mean that we didnt come out the way we thought we could. I appreciate everyone that was Helluva a team win, helluva game and we got helluva team”
Overall 49ers team looked a well balanced team with spark in every department. The defense proved to be a difficult obstacle for the Eagles for overcome. Offense on the other hand was on fire with everyone getting their contribution to pile up big score to make a statement that if 49ers has healthy team they have got all the pieces required to score big and win the Superbowl.
Sajjad ali is a versatile sports writer, is a maestro of the written word in the world of sports. With an in-depth knowledge of NBA, NFL, golf, and various sports, he crafts compelling narratives that captivate readers. His insightful analysis set him apart in the sports journalism arena. A multi-talented storyteller, his work resonates with sports enthusiasts across the globe, making him a go-to source for sporting insights. His passion for diverse sports shines through every line he pens.