The Philadelphia Eagles had a much easier time in their NFC divisional playoff game than the San Francisco 49ers did. The Eagles set an NFL record for the largest playoff victory ever against an opponent from their division, rocking the New York Giants, 38-7. The Giants had the sixth-worst run defense in the NFL this season, and the Eagles exploited that, running for over 260 yards in the win. The 49ers ran into the buzzsaw known as the Dallas defense, and while they only managed one touchdown, they were able to turn two Dak Prescott interceptions into field goals, and their defense was able to shut down both the Dallas running game (especially after Tony Pollard was carted off the field) and the passing game in a 19-12 win. Which team will advance to the Super Bowl? We have your NFL Playoffs betting prediction here.
NFL Preview: NFC Championship (Sunday, January 29)
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
When: Sunday, January 29, 2023, 3:00 pm ET
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
TV: FOX
Radio: Westwood One
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: Philadelphia -2.5 / O/U 46 / Philadelphia -145 / San Francisco +122
→ Why should you bet on the 49ers?
Lots of people have talked about how Brock Purdy is a rookie third-string quarterback, but the Iowa State product has thrown for 1,854 yards in eight games, with 16 touchdown passes against just three interceptions. He made his first career start in Week 14 and has a combined passer rating of 116.0, tops in the league since then. He has done especially well when throwing the ball to George Kittle, going 31 of 41 for 447 yards and seven scores just to #85. In the win over Dallas, Kittle had five catches for 95 yards.
The 49ers also have a stout defense against the run, so they should be able to push the Eagles into second- and third-and-long situations like they did with Dallas. Winning on the road in a cold environment will be a challenge, but this is also the team that beat Green Bay at Lambeau in the snow last year in the divisional playoff. Purdy wasn’t there, but playing at Iowa State prepares you for some of the worst winter weather out there.
→ Why should you put your money on the Eagles?
The Eagles will bring a defense that might be even better than the one Dallas rolled out last week. Philadelphia held the Giants to 227 yards of total offense and sacked Daniel Jones five times. The Eagles added Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph this year to stop the running game, so it will be interesting to see if they can also bottle up Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell. The Cowboys largely succeeded until the fourth quarter. McCaffrey has averaged 111.8 scrimmage yards per game during the 49ers’ twelve-game winning streak, wit a dozen touchdowns (including a touchdown in eight straight games), so if the Eagles can help out their defense with a little offense, winning and covering could happen.
Philadelphia could also succeed in throwing the ball down the field, as the 49ers were just 20th in the league in passing yards permitted per game (222.9). They did lead the league in regular-season interceptions, with 20, and they got 18 ½ sacks from Nick Bosa, but teams have been able to throw the ball on them. The Cowboys had multiple drives going before poor throws made them stall, and if you think Jalen Hurts can make better decisions and better throws than Prescott, then you think the Eagles can finish those drives.
→ Final Score and Prediction
I see Hurts’ limitations from his shoulder injury limiting his ability to throw the ball down the field, particularly on a cold day, and I see the strong decision-making that Purdy has shown this season continuing in this game. I predict a final score of San Francisco 20, Philadelphia 16.
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