How Eagles’ defense plans to stop CMC, ‘slippery’ Purdy originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The 49ers’ offense is fourth in points per game (28.2) and third in yards per game (386.1), meaning the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense will be busy during Week 13’s 2023 NFC Championship rematch at Lincoln Financial Field.
Both Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey are key San Francisco players the Eagles will aim to limit, as the tandem has scored a combined 30 touchdowns for the 8-3 49ers this season.
Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai spoke with reporters on Monday, detailing Philadelphia’s approach to limiting the explosiveness of Purdy and McCaffrey.
“Brock’s playing at a high level,” Desai told reporters. “Really efficient with the ball. Getting the ball out with rhythm and timing to his receivers. He’s slippery. He’s a little bit quick and can be evasive in the pocket. He keeps his eyes upfield and is able to target some explosives downfield that way too.
“We will have to have a good plan corralling him and getting tight to some of these routes so we can contest some of the throws.”
The Eagles are aware of Purdy’s comfortability in coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, as the second-year quarterback has completed 70.2 percent of passes for 2,871 yards and 19 scores during the 2023 NFL season.
However, Philadelphia hasn’t faced Purdy for a full game yet since he missed much of last season’s 49ers-Eagles NFC title game with a UCL injury that required surgery this past offseason.
When asked about defending against McCaffrey, Desai acknowledged the Eagles’ plan to slow down the NFL’s leading rusher, who has gained 939 yards on the ground this season, is a work in progress.
“That’s a good question,” Desai explained to reporters. “You’ve got to put bodies around him. Have to get different looks, affect his route progression from different angles and put different matchups on him because they do a great job of creating matchups there. So,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-defense-plans-stop-cmc-010917023.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2023-11-30 01:09:17
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
