The Philadelphia Eagles will play at home for the second-consecutive week when they host the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field.
This will be the 37th matchup, with the Niners hold a 21-14-1 lead and it’ll be the first meeting between the two teams since last season’s NFC Championship Game. San Francisco is looking to improve to 11-6-1 when visiting Philadelphia.
With kickoff quickly approaching, we’re looking at who has the advantage in key situations.
Quarterback play
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts became only the second NFL QB since 1950 to start 10-1 or better through 11 games in back-to-back seasons, joining Peyton Manning (2005-06 Colts) in that category (Elias Sports).
Jalen Hurts ranks 2nd in the NFL with 29 total TDs, trailing only Josh Allen (33). In Week 12 vs. Buffalo, Hurts combined for a career-high 5 total TDs (3 passing, 2 rushing) in the come-from-behind victory. He is currently sitting on 99 career total TDs (62 passing, 37 rushing).
Since Week 7, Jalen Hurts ranks T-2nd in the NFL in passing TDs (11), 4th in passer rating (110.0), 6th in completion percentage (69.7%) and 7th in yards per pass attempt (8.0) (min. 100 attempts).
Brock Purdy
Entering Week 13, Purdy has posted a passer rating of 112.3, which is the highest passer rating in the NFL. Purdy is third in QBR (85), tied for first in touchdown passes (16) and second in completion rate (66%) against man coverage this season. Purdy is also second in QBR on throws between the hashes (94.9), while the Eagles are allowing a QBR of 95.6 on such throws, which ranks 28th in the NFL.
Random notes
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is averaging 28.2 points per game, which is tied with San
Francisco for the 3rd-most in the NFL, behind Dallas (31.6) and Miami
(30.8). The Eagles has recorded 28+ points in all 5 home games this
year, tying for the longest streak in Eagles single-season history
Dating back to Week 4, Haason Reddick ranks T-4th in the NFL in QB
hits (15), 5th in pressures (46) and T-6th in sacks (8.5). Josh Sweat has produced the 4th-most pressures (59) in the league, behind Micah Parsons (71), Nick Bosa (66) and Josh Allen (65). Sweat (25) and Reddick (24) are 1st and 2nd in the NFL in fourth-quarter pressures. Reddick is tied for the 3rd-most fourth-quarter sacks (4.5), behind Myles Garrett (5.0) and Trey Hendrickson (5.0). As a team, the Philadelphia ranks 2nd in the league in pressures (189, tied with San Francisco), behind Baltimore (206).
The Eagles also have the 5th-most quarterback hits (78) in the NFL, trailing only Baltimore (84), San Francisco (84), Miami (82) and Buffalo (80), and are tied for 11th in sacks (32). Philadelphia owns the 3rd-best rushing defense (85.3 ypg) in the NFL, trailing only Chicago (79.5 ypg) and San Francisco (82.0 ypg). The Eagles are one of only four teams that have allowed 5-or-fewer rushing TDs this year, joining Atlanta (4), Baltimore (4) and San Francisco (5).
San Francisco
The 49ers offense is averaging 7.1 yds. per play on first down this
season, which is the most yds. per play on first down in the NFL.
Christian McCaffrey has registered 96 points this season, which ranks 1st among NFL RBs and 4th among all NFL players (K Brandon Aubrey, Dal. – 99; K Dustin Hopkins, Cle. – 99; K Justin Tucker, Bal. – 98).
Niners cornerback Charvarius Ward has logged 15 passes defeded this season, which rankst-2nd among all NFL players (CB Darious Williams, Jax. – 16; CB Benjamin St-Juste, Was. – 15).
The 49ers offense is averaging 13.3 yds. per reception this season, which is the most yards per reception in the NFL. The 49ers have posted a +11 turnover differential this season, which is tied for the best mark in the NFL (Pit. – +11).
The 49ers offense is averaging 7.1 yds. per play on first down this season, which is the most yards per play on first down in the NFL.
By the Numbers
Situational
On third and fourth down combined, Philadelphia leads the NFL with a 50.3% conversion percentage. The Eagles rank 3rd in third-down offense (47.3%), behind Buffalo (49.7%) and Dallas (47.7%), while also
pacing the league with a 76.5% success rate on fourth down.
Philadelphia ranks 5th in the NFL in red zone touchdown efficiency (62.8%), trailing only Miami (73.0%), Buffalo (67.4%), Baltimore (64.6%) and L.A. Chargers (63.9%).
Since Week 5, the Eagles lead the NFL in red zone offense (70.0%), converting on 21 of 30 red zone drives.
San Francisco
In the last three seasons (2021-23), the 49ers offense has converted on 24.6% of their 3rd-and-10-ormore opportunities, which is tied for the
3rd-best mark in the NFL over that span (KC – 30.1%; Buf. – 27.5%; GB
The 49ers have an average time of possession of 31:48 in 2023, ranking 4th in the NFL (Cle. – 33:19; Phi. – 31:59; Det. – 31:55).- 24.6%).
The Niners have outscored opponents 310-170 for a point differential of +140 in 2023, ranking 2nd in the NFL (Dal. – +162).
Verdict
The Eagles are about to face a healthy 49ers offense that is averaging 32+ points per game when they have George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffery in the lineup together. For Philadelphia, talented linebacker Zach Cunningham has been ruled out, while Fletcher Cox is questionable with a groin injury. According to Reuben Frank, in the 49ers’ eight wins, quarterback Brock Purdy has thrown one interception, while in their three losses, he’s thrown five picks. The Eagles are 20th in the league in takeaways and the 49ers are 3rd-best protecting the ball.
It’s the third of five straight physical contest, but if any team is up for the challenge, it’s a Nick Sirianni coached team tired of hearing the 49ers run their mouths.
San Francisco holds all the advantages, but the Eagles get the win.
