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The Eagles and 49ers are preparing for a heavyweight showdown on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, highlighted by star power on both sides of the football.
Philadelphia got off to a 13-1 start and outside of two consecutive losses without an injured Jalen Hurts, the Eagles have been the NFC’s top team.
San Francisco has battled adversity and the loss of two starting quarterbacks but has now won 12 straight, with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy unbeaten in his first seven starts replacing an injured Jimmy Garoppolo.
The 49ers are in the NFC Championship Game for the third time in four seasons, while Philadelphia is making its seventh NFC title appearance since 2001, more than every team in the NFL accept the Patriots over that span.
With kickoff fast approaching, here are seven matchups to watch when the Eagles have the football.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts vs. 49ers LB Fred Warner
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Former Eagles linebacker and Niners defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is the conductor of the train, with Fred Warner being his biggest chess piece.
The matchup to watch will be Jalen Hurts against the pass rusher, a run-stuffing, a middle linebacker who can also excel in coverage.
When the 49ers go to spy on Hurts, it’ll likely be Warner with the assignment.
Warner will work to take away Hurts’ improvisational runs while making his deep middle reads difficult as well.
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert vs. Tashaun Gipson Sr.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sunday’s matchup will feature two of the NFL’s top tight ends and Goedert will look to snatch Kittle’s spot in the top five.
In 12 games, Goedert had 702 yards and three touchdowns on 55 receptions and he’ll play a key role in opening up the middle of the field for Jalen Hurts.
The 49ers signed Gipson Sr. after training camp for depth in the secondary and the veteran ended up starting every game this season and led the team with 5 interceptions.
A.J. Brown vs. Deommodore Lenoir
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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-vs-49ers-7-matchups-213137567.html?src=rss
Author : Eagles Wire
Publish date : 2023-01-26 21:31:37
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