For a complete summary of how the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, please feel free to peruse the Guardian’s game report:
Final thoughts
Well, we were all expecting a closer game, but the 49ers had ridiculously poor injury luck with their quarterbacks and far too many costly penalties, so we ended up with a rout instead. That happens sometimes.
So now the 49ers’ remarkable season has come to an end and the Eagles are heading to the Super Bowl. That will do it for our live coverage of the NFC Championship Game, be sure to switch over to David Lengel’s live coverage of the AFC Championship Game to find out who the Eagles will be facing in the Super Bowl. Thanks for reading and thanks especially for those who contributed along the way. Ciao!
And it all ends with a loud “Fly Eagles Fly” sing-a-long. This is the most Philadelphia Sports thing to happen, at least for the next two weeks.
Jalen Hurts is up to talk. “Let’s take a moment to show love to these fans,” he says. He then immediately adds, “It’s a special city.”
That is the correct way to do things in Philadelphia Jalen.
We immediately go to the trophy presentation. That was quick, I’m used to championship games where it takes 10 minutes or so to get the whole setup together.
The conference championship games don’t quite get the same level of attention.
The Eagles are Super Bowl bound!
The Philadelphia Eagles are heading to Super Bowl LVII where they will face the winners of the upcoming AFC Championship Game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs (which the Guardian’s David Lengel will be liveblogging over here).
Eagles win! 49ers 7-31 Eagles, final score
49ers 7-31 Eagles, FINAL
Gainwell gets the ball and takes the ball six yards. Gardner Minshew is now in the game which is basically an opportunity for the Eagles crowd to give their love to Hurts. Minshew kneels out the remainder of the time and that will do it. The Philadelphia Eagles have won the NFC Championship Game!
I think that @HunterFelt, who is live-tweeting the 49ers-Eagles game for The Guardian may (entirely understandably) have fallen asleep...
— Deborah (@deborah_c) January 29, 2023
I am awake, it just took me quite a bit of time to figure out what exactly happened during the on-field fight. Combat sports are not my area of expertise.
49ers 7-31 Eagles, 2:00, 4th quarter
After all that, Samuel fumbles on 4th and 3. The Eagles recover. Boston Scott gets the ball for the next few possessions, not that it matters much.
Oh yeah and Trent Williams was also rejected on the previous play for doing this:
Trent Williams has been ejected for this body slam on K’Von Wallace.
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) January 29, 2023
Wallace was also ejected.
pic.twitter.com/5AuiUk1DFx
49ers 7-31 Eagles, 4:13, 4th quarter
Purdy is back out there at quarterback for the next play. He throws to Kittle for a yard. 2nd and 10, McCaffrey runs for five yards but the big action happens after the play as the two teams get into a tussle on the field. There are offsetting penalties and the Eagles’ K’von Wallace gets ejected.
49ers 7-31 Eagles, 4:58, 4th quarter
Samuel is out to receive the kickoff and keeps it alive for a good while before getting taken out at the SF 31. McCaffrey is forced to throw one deep on the next play and it is, as one would expect, incomplete.
Email from Justin Kavanagh:
At least Greenlaw has paid his respects to Rocky Balboa while in Philly. It’s more than most of the 49s have left on the field tonight.
Couldn’t get out of Philadelphia without at least one “Rocky” reference.
Field goal (Eagles) 49ers 7-31 Eagles
49ers 7-31 Eagles, 5:17, 4th quarter
Gainwell gets pushed back for three yards on the gifted first down. On 2nd and 13, Gainwell gets the ball to the SF 6. 3rd and 7, Gainwell is tackled immediately. The Eagles field goal unit comes on to change the score from merely “insurmountable” to “entirely insurmountable.”
Jake Elliott’s 31-yarder is good! The FOX broadcast goes to break with Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom.”
49ers 7-28 Eagles, 7:42, 4th quarter
Gainwell picks up 12 yards for a first down that takes them to the SF 28. He gets the ball again, but gets stuffed. 2nd and 10. Gainwell gets stuffed again, this time for a loss. 3rd and 12. Gainwell gets stopped again but…
There is yet another flag! It’s on Dru Greenlaw, who is caught trying to do a little boxing. An unnecessary roughness penalty gives the Eagles 14 yards and a first down.
49ers 7-28 Eagles, 10:28, 4th quarter
Now we’ll most likely see the Eagles try to run the ball. Indeed, Gainwell picks up three yards to the 49ers’ 40-yard-line. Eagles guard Landon Dickerson is injured on the play, so he leaves the field.
49ers 7-28 Eagles, 10:56, 4th quarter
On 4th and 2, Samuel gets pushed for a loss and the Eagles take over on downs. The hometown crowd cheers. It’s all falling action from here on out.
49ers 7-28 Eagles, 11:43, 4th quarter
2nd and 4, McCaffrey picks up 5 yards for a first down. 1st and 10 at the SF 39, Kittle picks up four yards. The clock keeps ticking and you feel like the Eagles will take this. Samuel gets another yard on 2nd and 6, it’s now 3rd and 5. Tick, tick, tick. McCaffrey gets three yards.
49ers 7-28 Eagles, 14:34, 4th quarter
McCaffrey picks up three yards. Here’s the other problem: the Niners are down so big that they can’t afford to keep running the ball but Purdy can’t really throw.
Finally there’s a flag on the Eagles, who got caught offside. That’s a five-yard penalty and it’s 1st and 5. On the next play, Samuel scrambles for forever but can only pick up a single yard.
Email from Gareth Davis:
Jesus Christ. How many penalties/yards is that on the Niners now? If they had a modicum of discipline they might be keeping this a little tighter, possibly giving themselves a chance and at the very least attracting sympathy for the QB injuries. As it is, it’s hard to feel sorry for a team repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot through idiotic and almost wholly avoidable flags.
That about sums it up, the 49ers weren’t winning with anybody at quarterback playing like this.
49ers 7-28 Eagles, end of the 3rd quarter
McCaffrey gets nine yards on the next play. On 2nd and 1, he gets the ball to the 28-yard-line for a first down. Now, however, they have just one quarter remaining and Johnson will officially not be returning.
49ers 7-28 Eagles, :43, 3rd quarter
Samuel takes the kickoff to the San Francisco 25. You’ll never believe this, but there’s a flag on the play! It’s holding on You Guess What Team. The 49ers take a ten-yard penalty.
Touchdown! (Eagles) 49ers 7-28 Eagles; 00:43, 3rd quarter
Boston Scott picks up two yards on the next play. The Eagles are at the one yard-line. 2nd and goal. The Niners defense stuff Hurts for no gain (not an easy thing to do).
Fly, Jalen, fly.
— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2023
📺: #SFvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/FKUP5TcOqi pic.twitter.com/xWP2rIDkPE
They can’t stop him on third down however, as Hurts rumbles in for a touchdown (with help from his linemen) that might have already ended all the drama here.
The extra point is good. What did I say about not seeing a one-sided blowout in this game?
Updated
49ers 7-21 Eagles, 2:28, 3rd quarter
Hurts runs on the next two plays, taking the ball to the San Francisco 21. On 2nd and 8, Hurts goes off for a first down. The Eagles are at the seven-yard line. No make that the third-yard line, after an unnecessary roughness call against the 49ers.
49ers 7-21 Eagles, 4:05, 3rd quarter
Hurts runs for four yards on the next down and then throws incomplete. On 3rd and 6, Hurts throws long but incomplete to Quez Watkins. Kern’s punt is short, but there’s a penalty on the play. It’s a roughing the kicker penalty that gifts Philadelphia an extra 15 yards and a first down.
49ers 7-21 Eagles, 5:26, 3rd quarter
Gainwell picks up a six yard gain on first down but gets stuffed for a one-yard loss on the next play, a great stop by Bosa. 3rd and 5. Hurts tosses a low throw that’s scooped up by Gainwell who gets a 17-yard gain to keep this drive alive. Considering the game situation, that could be a backbreaking completion allowed by SF.
49ers 7-21 Eagles, 6:46, 3rd quarter
Hurts hands it off to Boston Scott, who I always will refer to by his full name. Boston Scott only picks up one yard. 2nd and 9, Hurts scrambles for a six-yard game. 3rd and 2, Hurts finds Smith for a first-down that puts the Eagles at their own 24.
49ers 7-21 Eagles, 8:40, 3rd quarter
McCaffrey, freed from the pressures of emergency quarterbacking, carries the ball a yard. It’s 3rd and 13, Purdy throws a weak pass to McCaffrey who manages to pick up three yards after being pushed back. The 49ers punt again, pinning the Eagles to their own nine-yard line.
49ers 7-21 Eagles, 10:47, 3rd quarter
Purdy has returned to the field but there’s a worry that he might not be able to throw? Samuel takes the ball first and he gets pushed back four yards.
49ers 7-21 Eagles, 10:56, 3rd quarter
McCloud receives the Eagles’ punt and takes is to the San Francisco 45 where… somebody will come in to play offense. Stay tuned to find out!
The football gods saw all of our "Kyle Shanahan doesn't need a QB" takes and they're punishing us
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 29, 2023
49ers 7-21 Eagles, 11:01, 3rd quarter
The Eagles start at their own 17 after the punt. Sanders picks up three yards. 2nd and 7, Hurts throws incomplete on the next two plays. The 49ers defense shuts the Eagles down and now we’ll see exactly what they’re going to do on QB. Purdy is trying to warm up on the sidelines.
Josh Johnson removed due to injury
49ers 7-21 Eagles, 11:49, 3rd quarter
I cannot believe this, but Josh Johnson is now out of the game after hitting his head on the turf.
McCaffrey runs for four yards on the next play as Purdy reenters the game to hand it off. Mercifully that’s not enough for a first down and the 49ers don’t have to figure out what they’re going to do at QB because they just punt.
Updated
On 1st and 15, Johnson throws to Caffrey who only picks up a yard. On 2nd and 14, Johnson’s long throw to Samuel is nearly picked off. And then it gets worse for the Niners …
Updated
Start of the second half!
49ers 7-21 Eagles, 14:17, 3rd quarter
49ers start at their own 25. McCaffrey gets pushed back three yards. On 2nd and 13, Johnson throws incomplete. Eagles almost have a quick stop, but Johnson finds Kittle for a 22 yard gain! They’re at their own 44 just like that.
Email from Reg Gorczynski:
watching in snowy Toronto...this game became a non contest as soon as Purdy was injured....[Niners] defence is excellent but no team can hold out in a key game like this with only half a team...and Johnson is a 4th string journeyman QB for a reason!
I feel like Philadelphia wins this, but the 49ers can still at least put a scare in them in the second half. At least I hope so, I have a lot more bad puns I need to expose to the widest audience possible and our readership is biggest when the games are competitive.
Updated
Email from David Good:
SF working hard to prevent this being any sort of contest. My impression is they play better after halftime, which is pretty much the only reason I’m still watching. The Eagles haven’t had to do much more than be competent (although Reddick has been immense). How do you think they stack up against the Bengals/Chiefs?
A healthy Mahomes would probably give the Chiefs the edge, but I’m not sure they would have that even come Super Bowl time. I like the Eagles over the Bengals, but I have a tendency to underrate Cincinnati (as their fans will tell you).
But, again, this game isn’t over yet, even if it feels that way.
Email from Niall Mullen:
Given the QB situation, I wonder what Colin Kapernick is doing?
Never not relevant when looking at quarterback situations around the league.
Email from Ben Dunn:
This game reads better than it watches. Who come in if JJ goes down? Does CMC throw and hand off to himself for the rest of the game?
It honestly might be Deebo Samuel? That would be interesting but I don’t think Niners fans particularly would want “interesting” right now.
I hear you as far as this game, at one point after the 17th or 18th delay I yelled “oh come on” to the TV screen. There has been no continuity.
Halftime thoughts
Well this was supposed to be a lot more entertaining game, wasn’t it? Brock Purdy’s injury and a series of increasingly backbreaking penalties have put the Niners in a huge hole and they are going to need a huge comeback here.
The good news? We’ve seen more improbable ones during these playoffs.
End of first half: 49ers 7-21 Eagles
McCloud takes the opening kickoff to the San Francisco 41 yards. There might just be enough time on the clock for the 49ers to do something here. Johnson overthrows to McCaffrey. 2nd and 10, but just five seconds to go. Samuel gets a first down on the next drive, but it doesn’t matter because time has officially expired.
Updated
Touchdown (Eagles) 49ers 7-21 Eagles; 00:16, 2nd quarter
Boston Scott gets a rare touchdown that does not hurt the New York Giants on the very next play! This feels like it could be the game-changing drive of the afternoon.
.@BostonScott2 gives Philly a two-touchdown lead #FlyEaglesFly
— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2023
📺: #SFvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/FKUP5TdmfQ pic.twitter.com/TOgHUgmhAc
The Eagles go for a two-point conversion but get called for having too many players on the field. Instead, they go for an extra-point attempt, which is successful.
Updated
49ers 7-14 Eagles, :21, 2nd quarter
So, instead of being able to answer, the 49ers have to rely on their defense to prevent the Eagles from extending their lead before halftime. Hurts throws to Goedert for a five yard gain and then does that again on the next play.
The Eagles get to the SF 20 and then there’s another freaking penalty on the 49ers, which is half the distance to the goal. So they will be in a 1st and goal situation.
49ers 7-14 Eagles, 1:11, 2nd quarter
On the 49ers first play, Johnson finds Samuel for a 11-yard gain. That’s good. On the next play, however, the ball comes loose and the Eagles’ Hasson Reddick recovers the fumble for Philadelphia. Absolute nightmare for San Francisco. Eagles have possession at the SF 30.
Updated
49ers 7-14 Eagles, 1:36, 2nd quarter
Great blocking by Jason Kelce on that touchdown drive. Elliott’s kick goes into the end zone for a touchback. The 49ers have time here to answer or at least they would if they weren’t down to the Last Quarterback Standing.
Touchdown! (Eagles) 49ers 7-14 Eagles; 1:36, 2nd quarter
Sanders picks up five yards on the next down. On the next down, he picks up 13 yards which is enough to take him right to the end zone, pretty much untouched. The extra point is good and the Eagles retake the lead!
.@BoobieMilesXXIV has another and the @Eagles lead 14-7. #NFLPlayoffs
— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2023
📺: #SFvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/FKUP5TcOqi pic.twitter.com/UCy4UnTcjI
Updated
49ers 7-7 Eagles, 1:55, 2nd quarter
Sanders only picks up a yard on 1st and 10. On 2nd and 9, Hurts throws incomplete but my god there is another freaking penalty. It’s on the 49ers again, who have been their own worst enemy. That’s a five yard penalty that makes it 1st and 10 at the San Francisco 18.
Email from tomatkinsbd89:
Pub Trash Talk
Djimi Traore has a Champions League medal. Stephane Guivar’ch has won the World Cup. Paul Collingwood has an MBE for scoring 10 in an Ashes series. Are we about to see the equivalent for Josh Johnson?
Um, possibly? These references are a little out of my areas of expertise as an Ugly American.
49ers 7-7 Eagles, 2:00, 2nd quarter
Gainwell goes off for a 17-yard carry. That’s a big one. That takes the Eagles to the 49ers’ 24 and us to the two-minute warning!
49ers 7-7 Eagles, 2:53, 2nd quarter
So, the Eagles are back on their 42 yard line. Finally, we get an actual football play, as Hurts finds Goedert for four yards. On the next play, Hurts finds Gainwell who gets nine yards and a first down. 3rd and 2, Gainwell gets four yards and the Eagles have a first down at the San Francisco 41.
49ers 7-7 Eagles, 4:36, 2nd quarter
Hurts’s next pass is incomplete. Hurts can’t find a play on the next drive, either passing or rushing, but they draw another defensive penalty. This time it’s illegal use of hands and the Eagles have first down on their 47.
And there’s another penalty on the next play, a false start on Philadelphia. Can we just get on with it already? That’s five yards on the Eagles.
49ers 7-7 Eagles, 5:08, 2nd quarter
Hurts passes to Sanders who gets tackled immediately at the Eagles 39. 2nd and 6, Hurts unleashes a long bomb but Smith can’t get separation. Incomplete pass. On the next play, Hurts throws to Brown, it’s incomplete but there’s defensive pass interference on the play. Automatic first down at the Philadelphia 39.
49ers 7-7 Eagles, 6:39, 2nd quarter
Robbie Gould’s kick goes into the end zone for a touchback. The Eagles start at their 25. Sanders gets the ball on first down, taking it for four yards. He gets four yards again on this second carry. A big 3rd and 2 for Philadelphia here. Hurts tries to carry it itself and, despite a neat spin move, he can’t quite get there. Eagles have to punt…
Or no they don’t! Hurt sneaks it again and this time he picks it up. A key fourth-down conversion for Philly.
Email from Peter Evans:
Hi Hunter
Are we going to see the 4th pick quarterback taking a team to the superbowl ????
It’s officially on the table!
Touchdown! (49ers) 49ers 7-7 Eagles; 8:29, 2nd quarter
“They had to go the backup chains.” More randomness occurs! On the next play, the Eagles pressure Johnson who has to throw it incomplete. 2nd and 10. McCaffrey breaks free off tackles… and he takes it all the way into the end zone. The 49ers are a PAT away from tying this game.
CMC putting the team on his back 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2023
📺: #SFvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/FKUP5TdmfQ pic.twitter.com/LAHKDteiXo
And the extra point is good! Tied game!
Updated
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 9:16, 2nd quarter
Johnson finds McCaffrey again who almost picks up another first down, taking the ball to the Eagles 25. On the next play, Johnson sneaks it through the Eagles’ defense for a two-yard gain. They’re at the 23 now.
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 10:31, 2nd quarter
Johnson passes to McCaffrey who just barely misses picking up a first down but picks up a few more yards on second down to bring the 49ers to the Eagles 37.
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 11:27, 2nd quarter
Ray-Ray McCloud carry-carries Kern’s punt to the Eagles 46-yard-line, meaning San Francisco will once again have great field position.
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 11:24, 2nd quarter
With all that, it’s hard to remember that the Eagles have just a one-score lead. Sanders gets the ball on 1st down and gets pushed back a yard. 2nd and 11, Hurts barely escapes getting dragged back into his end zone for a safety by Bosa. Hurts’s next pass is incomplete and that’s a three-and-out forced by the Niners’ defense which is keeping them in this game.
.@nbsmallerbear bringing the heat. #NFLPlayoffs
— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2023
📺: #SFvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/FKUP5TdmfQ pic.twitter.com/KM9HeDuTSE
Updated
Email from David Good:
Hi Hunter,
How’s it going? As a game of football, this pretty much sucks, but as a random incident generator this is premium stuff.
Cheers
That about sums it up: a lot has happened, but not much has gone on. Or vice-versa, perhaps.
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 13:07, 2nd quarter
On 1st and 15, Johnson is sacked for five yards. It’s 2nd and 20, Johnson’s throw is incomplete. 3rd and 20 at the 44. Johnson’s pass is incomplete but there’s yet another flag here. It’s on the offense though, so Philadelphia declines. What a huge opportunity wasted by this 49ers team, which has to punt. Mitch Wishnowsky’s punt is caught at the Eagles’ seven-yard line.
Updated
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 14:12, 2nd quarter
I have no idea what to say about this 49ers team if they manage to win this game with Johnson at quarterback. It would be absolutely absurd. Much of it will be on McCaffrey and the running game. On 2nd and 1, McCaffrey picks up 7 yards. 1st and 10, there’s delay of game call on SF, with a five yard penalty.
Updated
49ers 0-7 Eagles, end of the 1st quarter
“We cannot determine if the ball hit the wire.” Okay, well thanks for that long delay. An “illegal use of the hands play” on Philadelphia puts the 49ers at midfield (commence fan booing) and, in the final play of the first quarter (finally) Samuel takes the ball to the Eagles 41.
49ers 0-7 Eagles, :09, 1st quarter
Hurts gets pushed back for no gain and the Eagles take their first timeout. It’s 3rd and 9 and Hurts overthrows A.J. Brown so they will have to punt. Brett Kern’s punt goes out of bounds and then there’s a flag because this game just can’t do just one thing at once at any point.
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 1:41, 1st quarter
Bosa is back in the game, so good news for the 49ers because they are going to have to limit as much damage as possible here and hope that Purdy can return. Hurts passes to Brown who picks up 11 yards, for a first down. It’s 2nd and 9 at the Eagles 27.
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 2:30, 1st quarter
McCaffrey gets 16 yards, but after the penalty they needed 20 so they will have to punt. It’s a short one that rolls inside the 30. There’s a flag here, unnecessary roughness on Philadelphia for a 14-yard penalty. Also, Nick Bosa is shaken up on that play, and man that is yet another thing San Francisco doesn’t need here.
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 3:24, 1st quarter
Johnson’s first play that he’s really involved with involves him getting sacked for nine yards, pushing the 49ers back their 15. On the next play, they get hit with a delay-of-game. Everything is going wrong for SF.
Brock Purdy questionable to return to game
And Purdy can’t return to the game, due to an injury to his right elbow. So now, the 49ers are going to have to play with Josh Johnson, who is here because Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t even on the roster. McCaffrey gets the ball first and rushes to the San Francisco 24.
That doesn't look like a tremendously encouraging strapping pic.twitter.com/LX7yjiSpg9
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) January 29, 2023
Updated
Email from Travis Giblin:
Hey Hunter, I think I need to try what you’re having if you thought the anthem was 10/10. Bleeding Gums Murphy would have done a better job, and I think you know that to be true.
Regards,
Travis Giblin
Perhaps. But I am giving our legends their flowers while they are still around. She gets a ten out of ten just for being there.
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 4:58, 1st quarter
Sanders runs for a yard, Hurts passes short to Jack Stoll for a five-yard gain and then Kenneth Gainwell can’t, well, gain anything and gets stuffed. The Eagles have to put after being gifted a turnover. A great job by the 49ers’ defense to prevent that mistake from burning them. Their punt goes into the end zone for a touchback. Now we’ll see if Purdy, hurt on that last play, is healthy enough to return or if San Francisco will have to go their fourth-string qb.
SUCCESSFUL CHALLENGE
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 7:03, 1st quarter
The Eagles have a successful challenge! The play is overturned and called a fumble returned by Linval Joseph at the Eagles 44-yard line. A huge turn early in this game!
After review, @Haason7Reddick forces the fumble and the @Eagles take over 💪
— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2023
📺: #SFvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/FKUP5TdmfQ pic.twitter.com/bop3WoHK25
Updated
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 7:03, 1st quarter
Purdy finds Brandon Aiyuk for a ten-yard gain and a first down (there’s a flag on the play on the Eagles, but San Francisco declines). Purdy finds Samuel to get midfield on the next play. On 2nd & 6, Purdy throws an incomplete pass that the Eagles challenge, thinking they have a turnover here.
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 8:48, 1st quarter
The Niners just need a one yard gain, but Christian McCaffrey gets stuffed on his first attempt. No worries, he makes it to the San Francisco 36 on his second carry.
49ers 0-7 Eagles, 9:48, 1st quarter
The 49ers start their first drive at their own 25 after the Eagles’ punt hits the end zone for a touchback. Purdy passes to featured tight end George Kittle for a nine-yard gain.
Email from Mark Woldin:
Let’s be honest. Anita Baker was not ready for this and should not have sung. If she sings then Montana may as well suit up.
I will accept no Anita slander, even if she clearly wasn’t at her “Rapture” peak. In any case, it clearly didn’t affect Philadelphia’s mojo.
Note: It also looks like Smith’s catch could have been overturned if challenged, but well that’s kind of out of the Niners’ hands now.
Updated
Touchdown (Eagles) 49ers 0-7 Eagles, 9:48, 1st quarter
Hurts throws incomplete on first down but hands it off to Saunders on second down and he runs it in and the Eagles have a touchdown on their very first possession! What a fantastic decision to go for it on fourth-down rather than settle for three-points.
Easy running for @BoobieMilesXXIV 🙌
— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2023
📺: #SFvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/FKUP5TdmfQ pic.twitter.com/Kooj1JrZDo
Their extra point attempt is good, which (as we know from previous games) is not necessarily an automatic thing in the modern NFL.
Updated
49ers 0-0 Eagles, 10:28 , 1st quarter
Hurts throws a pass that is… nearly intercepted but goes out of bounds. It is, however, 3rd and 10. Hurts finds Goedert, but it’s short of a first down, picking up just seven yards. The Eagles have to decide whether to attempt a field goal here or go for it on 4th and 3.
They go for it! Hurts scrambles for a bit and then finds DeVonta Smith who catches it just in-bounds at the San Francisco 6 yard line! What a catch!
Updated
49ers 0-0 Eagles, 12:01, 1st quarter
Doesn’t matter that Hurts can’t get much going on second down as he finds Brown for ten yards and another first down. They’re at the San Francisco 42 already. Sanders gets the ball next, but he can’t get anywhere either. San Francisco keyed in on the run in this opening drive.
49ers 0-0 Eagles, 13:15, 1st quarter
1st and 10 at their own 46, Hurts finds Dallas Goedert for a two-yard gain. Hurts takes the ball and runs and barely gets anywhere.
Good news for San Francisco, Warner is back in the game.
49ers 0-0 Eagles, 14:22, 1st quarter
Hurts passes to A.J. Brown for a six yard gain to the 40. Miles Sanders gets the ball on 2nd & 4 and gains six yards on the play to take the Eagles to their own 46 but 49ers’ linebacker Fred Warner was injured on the play leading to an injury timeout.
Opening kickoff
49ers 0-0 Eagles, 15:00, 1st quarter
The 49ers have won the toss and they defer, so it will be the Eagles with possession of the ball. Boston Scott returns the kick to the Philadelphia 34.
Updated
Alright, we’re a few minutes away from opening kickoff and then it’s going to be NFL action from here on out.
National anthem
ANITA BAKER! OMG IT’S ANITA BAKER! 10 stars out of 10.
Email from Tim Perks:
So looking forward to both games. Think the Eagles DL will get to Purdy and cause no end of trouble, effectively shutting down that great offense. 49ers own defence mighty impressive but vulnerable to a running QB. Eagles 20 13 49ers.
I really do think that the Eagles’ advantage at QB is going to be the difference here over the 49ers’ advantage at defense, but that’s the logical conclusion to come to here. Sports don’t always operate on a logical level.
Email from William Preston:
Hey, Hunter!
I think this is going to be one of wild swings. The Eagles are going to start strongly, get a proper stomp on through the first three quarters, but the Niners have strength in depth, and most of all, resolve. They’ll put together wily plays, coupled with thrilling heroics and steal this one.
Have a good one!
This also seems possible! Honestly, the only outcome that seems unlikely is a one-sided stomp in either direction.
This is actually the second matchup between Jalen Hurts and Brock Purdy as the two faced each other back in their college days as Hurts led the Oklahoma Sooners to a 42-41 victory over Purdy’s Iowa State Cyclones. Hopefully, we’ll get a similarly close game over the next few hours.
Predictions
Email from Charles Pederson:
Niners should keep it close and win the game with an overtime field goal. Eagles 24- Niners 27 in overtime.
That’s close to what I believe, just with the winning teams reversed. Earlier in this liveblog, you saw me predict that the Eagles were going to beat the Niners in a tight match. However, to make things more interesting, let’s try to get more specific with the details: I’m guessing a back-and-forth match here but not a ridiculously high-scoring one, despite these being two great offenses. Maybe Eagles 27-24 49ers, with a last-second field goal by Philadelphia being the difference.
You have a different take? Great! Feel free to make your best guess and send it our way. You can either tweet @HunterFelt with it or email it to hunter.felt.freelance@theguardian.com.
Fox NFL Sunday just featured a parody of SNL’s “Weekend Update” segment and I’m annoyed because telling corny jokes about the game when they’re supposed to be providing in-depth analysis is sort of my whole deal.
A neat little factoid here:
Jalen Hurts & Brock Purdy combined age is 47 years and 208 days old.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 29, 2023
This is the youngest starting QB matchup in Conference Championship round. pic.twitter.com/Pw4vpMqQ4Y
Meanwhile, it’s possible that the Eagles are working with a big home-field advantage considering how uniquely intense Philadelphia sports fans can be. News reports have it that the police have already greased the telephone poles across the city to prepare for post-game celebrations, not that it will necessarily prevent the most determined climbers.
Breaking injury news
A major news story coming out this afternoon: running back Elijah Mitchell is out today for the 49ers, which means that Tevin Coleman is elevated in his absence. We’ll see if that ends up being a factor today.
#49ers inactives for NFC Championship vs. Eagles:
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) January 29, 2023
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
RB Elijah MItchell
RB Ty Davis-Price
TE Ross Dwelley
OL Nick Zakelj
DL Drake Jackson
CB Ambry Thomas
Meanwhile, stay with us after today’s game for the AFC Championship Game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs as the Guardian will have live coverage of that as well. Bengals-Chiefs is scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm EST assuming that this game ends on time (overtime is very much on the table, given how equally matched these two teams are).
Preamble
Welcome to NFL’s Championship Sunday, everybody! For the first game of today’s doubleheader, we have the San Francisco 49ers visiting the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field for the right to head to this year’s Super Bowl. In fact, considering that these are the two most well-rounded teams remaining, the winner just might end up being title favorites. So, you could say there’s a lot on the line in the next few hours and you would be saying a correct thing.
One interesting subplot about the NFC Championship Game will revolve around the quarterbacks. For the longest time, the story surrounding the Eagles was that they were a great team but that they needed a more traditional quarterback than Jalen Hurts. Well, we’ve seen plenty of evidence this season that Hurts actually has elevated the entire team to the point where he’s the difference between them being a very good team and the best team during the NFL’s regular season. The Eagles’ epic beatdown of the New York Giants last weekend certainly didn’t hurt his value.
Meanwhile, what’s there left to be said about third-string wonder Brock Purdy? There will be time to discuss what exactly the 49ers do with their crowded quarterback position in the offseason, although certainly, Purdy has already had the chance to prove himself in ways that nominal starter Trey Lance has yet to have (thanks to bad injury luck more than anything else). Purdy might just be two wins away from forcing the issue in San Francisco.
It’s impossible to predict how the NFC Championship Game will play out although, obviously, I have given my best attempt earlier in this liveblog. The safest prediction is that we’ll get a competitive game, there’s an outside shot at an instant classic here. Want to be a part of our coverage? Feel free to drop us a line, either via email (to hunter.felt.freelance@theguardian.com) or Twitter (through @HunterFelt, assuming that He Who Shall Not Be Named hasn’t broken the site) and we’ll share your comments throughout this liveblog.
It’s the San Francisco 49ers vs. the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field! Opening kickoff is scheduled around 3:00 pm EST, although it will probably actually start a few minutes after that knowing how TV time works, but we’ll be back well before then with additional commentary.
Hunter will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s his guide to today’s game:
NFC Championship Game (San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday 3pm EST/8pm GMT)
Story of the season: The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles have established themselves as the best teams in the NFC, although the former has faced slightly more adversity. The Niners went 13-4 in the regular season despite losing two starting quarterbacks to injury: first Trey Lance and then Jimmy Garoppolo. When Brock Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 draft stepped in, he was even better than the men he replaced. Meanwhile, the Eagles clinched the NFC’s best record in the regular season by going 14-3 and they may have had an even more impressive record had Jalen Hurts not missed time due to a shoulder injury down the stretch. Their regular season success allowed them to enjoy a bye week before demolishing the New York Giants 38-7 in the divisional round of the playoffs.
What the 49ers need to do to win: The 49ers defense will have to limit Hurts. The quarterback can harm opposing teams both with his legs and with his arms, so the Niners’ stout defense, which allowed 6.4 yards per pass attempt and an NFL-low 3.4 yards per carry during the regular season, will have to work overtime to limit the damage he can do.
What the Eagles need to do to win: They need to forget about that 38-7 victory over the Giants and play like underdogs. The San Francisco defense is too good for this to be a blowout and it’s clear that their offense can score no matter who is under center. San Francisco would like nothing better than to catch them flat-footed early.
Key player for the 49ers: George Kittle, TE. One of the reasons that Purdy has been a success is that the Niners have given him a host of weapons, including Kittle who has the capacity to catch balls that just don’t seem catchable.
Key player for the Eagles: Jake Elliott, PK. After watching the Cowboys’ Brett Maher struggle with the yips in the postseason, it’s undeniable that a reliable kicker can change the entire complexion of a team. Elliott made five field goals in the NFC East-clinching victory over the Giants at the end of the regular season. In a tight game, he will be crucial.
Prediction: Eagles over 49ers. The final score will be far closer than 38-7, but the Eagles proved last weekend that they are the more dominant of these two teams. Expect the 49ers to give Philadelphia all they can take, with the Eagles squeaking through at home by the slimmest of margins. It may come down to the final possession – or even overtime.
