This Sunday the San Francisco 49ers will take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Round of playoffs. There are a couple of keys to success for the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. This matchup will not be easy for either team, in a game expected to be very physical. This is the third Championship game for the 49ers in four years, and the team is hungry for another chance in the Super Bowl. Here are the top three keys to success for the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
49ers in the NFC Championship: Run the Ball
As of Friday, the final practice before the big game, running back Christian McCaffrey did practice, but Elijah Mitchell was not seen during the media portion of practice. One of the top keys to success for the 49ers in the NFC Championship game is to run the ball. By doing this, the Philadephia defense can tire out quickly. More importantly, although the Eagles have a strong defense, stopping the run is not their strong suit.
The Eagles did well last weekend against the New York Giants. Although absolutely dominating against New York, the Giants were still able to rush for 118 yards, according to ESPN. In the postseason, the 49ers averaged to rush 90 yards per game, according to ESPN. Last weekend the 49ers had an extremely slow start rushing the ball. The Dallas Cowboys had a stronger rushing defense than the Eagles this season, which can be a potential help for the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
49ers in the NFC Championship: Lockdown Eagles’ Receivers
The Philadelphia Eagles have two strong wide receivers. Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown has been a huge difference-maker for Philly this year. Smith has been with the team for two years now and has also been great for them. If the 49ers can keep those two contained, that would be huge for the San Francisco defense. Of course, it cannot be expected that Brown or Smith will not have any big plays at all, but if those are limited, and do not go into the endzone, that can be a big help for the 49ers in the NFC Championship.
The Eagles only have one postseason game to go by after having the bye week. In the game against the New York Giants, Brown had just three receptions for 22 yards, according to ESPN. Smith was actually the leading receiver for the Eagles with six receptions for 61 yards and one touchdown, according to ESPN. If the two receivers can stay contained, there can be a great amount of success for the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
Last weekend, Dak Prescott was only able to complete 23 out of 37 pass attempts for 206 yards, per ESPN. Prescott did throw one touchdown, but also two interceptions. Prescott and Eagles quarterback, Jalen Hurts are not the same players, and Hurts has more targets, but this is important. Limiting those big plays down the field and forcing at the most, field goals, is a key way for a win for the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
49ers in the NFC Championship: Keep Hurts in the Pocket
Not letting the Eagles quarterback, Jalen Hurts run out of the pocket, specifically to the right is key. When Hurts is able to get out to the right, he can either hit with the pass or the run easily. Forcing him to stay inside the pocket will be a crucial way for success for the 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
Hurts rushed the ball for 34 yards and one touchdown in the divisional round against the Giants, according to ESPN. Also getting that touchdown is a key factor as to why the 49ers need to do what they can to close in that pocket. While the Cowboys quarterback, Dak Prescott did get a couple of rushing yards, they were primarily for short third-down conversions. That will need to be prevented as well, but in the playoffs, Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Geno Smith, is San Francisco’s most recent face-off against a mobile quarterback.
Smith is older than Hurts which is also a factor. In the Wild Card round of the playoffs, Smith rushed for 28 yards, but never for a touchdown, according to ESPN. On the plays where Hurts is able to get out of the pocket, San Francisco will have to trust their star linebackers to get to Hurts if he runs. The 49ers have three linebackers who are all healthy, Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, and Azeez Al-Shaair. Warner showed last weekend that he can be wherever the ball is. If those three play their best, Hurts’ job will not be an easy one.
Going into the game, the Eagles are large favorites against the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. While there is more that San Francisco will have to do than just these three examples, these are the top keys to success. This NFC Championship Game will be this Sunday at 3:00 pm Eastern in Philadelphia.
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Check out which 49ers players to watch vs the Philadelphia Eagles. Check out this article on which 49ers members were announced as finalists for the NFL Honors. Check out this article on the history of the 49ers vs Eagles in the playoffs. Also, check out this article on where defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans will coach in the 2023 season.