SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers took out their frustration over last season's NFC championship game loss at Philadelphia in emphatic fashion.
San Francisco overcame a shaky start to overwhelm the Eagles with a 42-19 victory on Sunday that took a little sting out of last season's disappointment, but might only be a precursor to a possible playoff rematch.
“Obviously, we wanted some payback,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “We tried not to think too much about last year, but we knew we could match up with them and more than that, so I think we proved a good point. Obviously, we might have to do it again against them. They’re a really good team.”
The 49ers felt they never got a real opportunity last season to prove how good they were compared to the Eagles after Brock Purdy injured his elbow on the opening drive and San Francisco played most of the second half of a 31-7 loss without a functioning quarterback.
After going three-and-out and losing 6 yards on the first two drives, the Niners showed why they are currently listed as the Super Bowl favorites.
Led by another outstanding game from Purdy and big plays from Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco scored TDs on its next six drives before kneeling it out to end the game.
“I had full confidence that we would have this type of game from the jump,” left tackle Trent Williams said. “We got a quarterback, so made it a lot easier this time.”
Purdy was nearly perfect after the opening two drives, finishing 19 for 27 for 315 yards and four touchdowns to help the Niners become the first team since the 2019 Ravens to score TDs on six straight drives in a regular-season game.
Purdy got some help from his playmakers as he didn't throw a single pass more than 15 yards downfield, but still averaged 11.6 yards per attempt and 16.5 yards per completion thanks to 212 yards gained after the catch.
Purdy now leads the NFL in completion rate (70.2%), yards per attempt (9.6) and passer rating (116.1).
"When our whole offense, everybody settled down, which included Brock, too, myself, and I thought he played a (heck) of a game,” coach Kyle Shanahan said.
WHAT’S WORKING
Run defense. The 49ers struggled stopping the run during their three-game losing streak, but have been extremely stout in four games since the bye. They might have been at their best against the Eagles' strong rushing attack, allowing only 46 yards on 18 carries for Philadelphia's lowest rushing total in five years. San Francisco is tied for best run defense in the NFL, allowing only 79 yards rushing per game.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
Starts to the game. The Niners have been a fast starting team, but struggled early against the Eagles. They went three-and-out on their first two drives for the first time since the 2021 divisional round against Green Bay and didn't have a play gain even a yard until the second quarter. San Francisco allowed 124 yards and gained minus-6 in the first quarter for its biggest deficit in a first quarter in seven seasons under Shanahan.
STOCK UP
WR Deebo Samuel had plenty to say after the Niners lost the NFC title game last season in Philadelphia, but backed it up in a big way in the rematch. He scored on a 12-yard run and then a 48-yard catch and run to help San Francisco break the game open in the third quarter and then capped the day with a 46-yard TD in the fourth. Samuel finished with 138 yards from scrimmage and the three TDs.
STOCK DOWN
LB Dre Greenlaw got called for a personal foul after hitting receiver DeVonta Smith late out of bounds and then putting his hand in the face of the Eagles’ chief security officer. It was Greenlaw's third personal foul of the season and his second career ejection after also getting tossed last year for a hit on Chargers QB Justin Herbert.
INJURIES
DT Arik Armstead (foot, knee) will be evaluated this week. ... G Spencer Burford is dealing with a new knee injury and is day to day. ... TE Ross Dwelley will miss a few weeks with a high ankle sprain. ... CB Darrell Luter (hamstring) will miss at least a week. ... WR Ray-Ray McCloud (ribs) is day to day after missing the game Sunday.
KEY NUMBER
118-32. The 49ers have been at their best against the toughest competition this season. They have played three games against the other six teams with at least eight wins this season. San Francisco outscored Dallas, Jacksonville and Philadelphia 118-32 in those games.
NEXT STEPS
San Francisco hosts Seattle on Sunday looking for a series sweep for the second straight season.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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