eagles/49ers thoughts

[snap infraction]

as an eagles fan, i'm absolutely pumped for this matchup.  it's going to be epic.  both the eagles and 49ers were clearly the best two teams most of the season.  they have by far the best rosters in the conference.  i mean both rosters are absolutely loaded with great players.  the eagles developed a great offensive/defensive line through the draft and were able to fill the rest of the roster well with quality players because they have a QB on a rookie contract which allows them to spend generously in free agency.  getting a hometown discount from haasan reddick was the missing piece the defense needed.   

fun fact - this is san fran's 6 trip to the NFC title game in 12 seasons.  and they have done it with 4 different QB's.  that's absurd.  

this is actually the eagles 7th trip to ther NFC title game since 2000.  that's pretty crazy as well.  



here's why i believe the eagles have a slight advantage:

- in their last 9 games, the 49ers have only played on the road twice.  and both of those games were on the west coast (seattle/vegas).  while purdy has rightfully been praised, you can argue that part of his success is that he's played mostly at home.  will he have the same comfort in a more hostile environment?  if he's going to stumble or get rattled, it will happen when he's on the road.

- the eagles are relatively healthy.  they are banged up for sure but 21 out of their 22 game 1 starters will likely start which is big.  of course, a lot of riding on jalen hurts and lane johnson being able to play at a high level while both are playing through injury. 

- i thought the game was winnable for dallas but dak's two INT's were too costly to overcome.  and the strength of the cowboys is their pass rush.  but the eagles actually have a better pass rush than the cowboys.  it also appeared to me that dallas's defensive line was fatigued in the 4th quarter.  the eagles have much better depth and rotate 8 players in all game.  fatigue won't be a problem for the eagles in the 4th.

- the eagles had a bye week last week and i'm fairly certain eagles coaches have been prepping for san fran for several weeks now. 

- the 49ers have been the nfl media's darlings for quite a while now.  it will allow the eagles to play the underdog role even if they are not technically the underdog. 

of course san fran has a path to victory.  they have awesome skilled players who make big plays (deebo, kettle, christian mccaffrey) and the best defense in the league.  they have a QB is very poised and manages the game well.  i know it's cliche but the game might just come down to the little things like penalties, health, taking care of the ball, etc).  that stuff is impossible to predict.  




  

[mscott59]

as even a matchup as there's been in a while. both teams have shown very few weaknesses over the course of the season. to me the keys are 1. how hurt is hurts? if he's healthy enough he brings an edge in experience but if he's nicked that evens that out. 2. when does purdy start looking like a rookie? 1st year qb's are 0-4 of late in conference title games.

have to admit you made me chuckle a little saying the niners are the media darlings of the nfl and that philly is an 'underdog'. the eagles overall have the best roster in the league, and I'd argue the chiefs, packers and bucs all could be better examples of media love, especially kc. should be a classic game. can't wait.

Jan 24, 2023 8:51:45 GMT -5 snap infraction said:

as an eagles fan, i'm absolutely pumped for this matchup.  it's going to be epic.  both the eagles and 49ers were clearly the best two teams most of the season.  they have by far the best rosters in the conference.  i mean both rosters are absolutely loaded with great players.  the eagles developed a great offensive/defensive line through the draft and were able to fill the rest of the roster well with quality players because they have a QB on a rookie contract which allows them to spend generously in free agency.  getting a hometown discount from haasan reddick was the missing piece the defense needed.   

fun fact - this is san fran's 6 trip to the NFC title game in 12 seasons.  and they have done it with 4 different QB's.  that's absurd.  

this is actually the eagles 7th trip to ther NFC title game since 2000.  that's pretty crazy as well.  



here's why i believe the eagles have a slight advantage:

- in their last 9 games, the 49ers have only played on the road twice.  and both of those games were on the west coast (seattle/vegas).  while purdy has rightfully been praised, you can argue that part of his success is that he's played mostly at home.  will he have the same comfort in a more hostile environment?  if he's going to stumble or get rattled, it will happen when he's on the road.

- the eagles are relatively healthy.  they are banged up for sure but 21 out of their 22 game 1 starters will likely start which is big.  of course, a lot of riding on jalen hurts and lane johnson being able to play at a high level while both are playing through injury. 

- i thought the game was winnable for dallas but dak's two INT's were too costly to overcome.  and the strength of the cowboys is their pass rush.  but the eagles actually have a better pass rush than the cowboys.  it also appeared to me that dallas's defensive line was fatigued in the 4th quarter.  the eagles have much better depth and rotate 8 players in all game.  fatigue won't be a problem for the eagles in the 4th.

- the eagles had a bye week last week and i'm fairly certain eagles coaches have been prepping for san fran for several weeks now. 

- the 49ers have been the nfl media's darlings for quite a while now.  it will allow the eagles to play the underdog role even if they are not technically the underdog. 

of course san fran has a path to victory.  they have awesome skilled players who make big plays (deebo, kettle, christian mccaffrey) and the best defense in the league.  they have a QB is very poised and manages the game well.  i know it's cliche but the game might just come down to the little things like penalties, health, taking care of the ball, etc).  that stuff is impossible to predict.  




  

[oujour76]

Jan 24, 2023 8:51:45 GMT -5 snap infraction said:

as an eagles fan, i'm absolutely pumped for this matchup.  it's going to be epic.  both the eagles and 49ers were clearly the best two teams most of the season.  they have by far the best rosters in the conference.  i mean both rosters are absolutely loaded with great players.  the eagles developed a great offensive/defensive line through the draft and were able to fill the rest of the roster well with quality players because they have a QB on a rookie contract which allows them to spend generously in free agency.  getting a hometown discount from haasan reddick was the missing piece the defense needed.   

fun fact - this is san fran's 6 trip to the NFC title game in 12 seasons.  and they have done it with 4 different QB's.  that's absurd.  

this is actually the eagles 7th trip to ther NFC title game since 2000.  that's pretty crazy as well.  



here's why i believe the eagles have a slight advantage:

- in their last 9 games, the 49ers have only played on the road twice.  and both of those games were on the west coast (seattle/vegas).  while purdy has rightfully been praised, you can argue that part of his success is that he's played mostly at home.  will he have the same comfort in a more hostile environment?  if he's going to stumble or get rattled, it will happen when he's on the road.

- the eagles are relatively healthy.  they are banged up for sure but 21 out of their 22 game 1 starters will likely start which is big.  of course, a lot of riding on jalen hurts and lane johnson being able to play at a high level while both are playing through injury. 

- i thought the game was winnable for dallas but dak's two INT's were too costly to overcome.  and the strength of the cowboys is their pass rush.  but the eagles actually have a better pass rush than the cowboys.  it also appeared to me that dallas's defensive line was fatigued in the 4th quarter.  the eagles have much better depth and rotate 8 players in all game.  fatigue won't be a problem for the eagles in the 4th.

- the eagles had a bye week last week and i'm fairly certain eagles coaches have been prepping for san fran for several weeks now. 

- the 49ers have been the nfl media's darlings for quite a while now.  it will allow the eagles to play the underdog role even if they are not technically the underdog. 

of course san fran has a path to victory.  they have awesome skilled players who make big plays (deebo, kettle, christian mccaffrey) and the best defense in the league.  they have a QB is very poised and manages the game well.  i know it's cliche but the game might just come down to the little things like penalties, health, taking care of the ball, etc).  that stuff is impossible to predict.  

  

Guess I'll be rooting for the Eagles...more OU guys on the Eagles: Jalen Hurts* and Lane Johnson. Only one guy on 49ers from OU: Trent Williams. And frankly, probably wouldn't root for 49ers anyway...can't stand them or their fans.

Hurts gets * because he only played one year at OU, he's more Tide than Sooner. Good example of a transfer working out for all parties.

[snap infraction]

Jan 24, 2023 10:41:29 GMT -5 mscott59 said:

as even a matchup as there's been in a while. both teams have shown very few weaknesses over the course of the season. to me the keys are 1. how hurt is hurts? if he's healthy enough he brings an edge in experience but if he's nicked that evens that out. 2. when does purdy start looking like a rookie? 1st year qb's are 0-4 of late in conference title games.

have to admit you made me chuckle a little saying the niners are the media darlings of the nfl and that philly is an 'underdog'. the eagles overall have the best roster in the league, and I'd argue the chiefs, packers and bucs all could be better examples of media love, especially kc. should be a classic game. can't wait.

Jan 24, 2023 8:51:45 GMT -5 snap infraction said:

as an eagles fan, i'm absolutely pumped for this matchup.  it's going to be epic.  both the eagles and 49ers were clearly the best two teams most of the season.  they have by far the best rosters in the conference.  i mean both rosters are absolutely loaded with great players.  the eagles developed a great offensive/defensive line through the draft and were able to fill the rest of the roster well with quality players because they have a QB on a rookie contract which allows them to spend generously in free agency.  getting a hometown discount from haasan reddick was the missing piece the defense needed.   

fun fact - this is san fran's 6 trip to the NFC title game in 12 seasons.  and they have done it with 4 different QB's.  that's absurd.  

this is actually the eagles 7th trip to ther NFC title game since 2000.  that's pretty crazy as well.  



here's why i believe the eagles have a slight advantage:

- in their last 9 games, the 49ers have only played on the road twice.  and both of those games were on the west coast (seattle/vegas).  while purdy has rightfully been praised, you can argue that part of his success is that he's played mostly at home.  will he have the same comfort in a more hostile environment?  if he's going to stumble or get rattled, it will happen when he's on the road.

- the eagles are relatively healthy.  they are banged up for sure but 21 out of their 22 game 1 starters will likely start which is big.  of course, a lot of riding on jalen hurts and lane johnson being able to play at a high level while both are playing through injury. 

- i thought the game was winnable for dallas but dak's two INT's were too costly to overcome.  and the strength of the cowboys is their pass rush.  but the eagles actually have a better pass rush than the cowboys.  it also appeared to me that dallas's defensive line was fatigued in the 4th quarter.  the eagles have much better depth and rotate 8 players in all game.  fatigue won't be a problem for the eagles in the 4th.

- the eagles had a bye week last week and i'm fairly certain eagles coaches have been prepping for san fran for several weeks now. 

- the 49ers have been the nfl media's darlings for quite a while now.  it will allow the eagles to play the underdog role even if they are not technically the underdog. 

of course san fran has a path to victory.  they have awesome skilled players who make big plays (deebo, kettle, christian mccaffrey) and the best defense in the league.  they have a QB is very poised and manages the game well.  i know it's cliche but the game might just come down to the little things like penalties, health, taking care of the ball, etc).  that stuff is impossible to predict.  




  

the thing that is vital with hurts is obviously his dual threat ability.  the 49ers actually haven't faced many running QB's all season.  kyler murray was injured and out for both of the 49er games against arizona.  they played justin fields in week 1 and lost. geno smith can move but his mobility isn't utilized in the same way the eagles utilize hurts.  hurts threat to run gives the eagles offense that extra wrinkle that keeps defenses off balance.  i should have noted the lack of games against mobile qb's as an advantage for the eagles in my initial post.  

[snap infraction]

Jan 24, 2023 11:23:22 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

Jan 24, 2023 8:51:45 GMT -5 snap infraction said:

as an eagles fan, i'm absolutely pumped for this matchup.  it's going to be epic.  both the eagles and 49ers were clearly the best two teams most of the season.  they have by far the best rosters in the conference.  i mean both rosters are absolutely loaded with great players.  the eagles developed a great offensive/defensive line through the draft and were able to fill the rest of the roster well with quality players because they have a QB on a rookie contract which allows them to spend generously in free agency.  getting a hometown discount from haasan reddick was the missing piece the defense needed.   

fun fact - this is san fran's 6 trip to the NFC title game in 12 seasons.  and they have done it with 4 different QB's.  that's absurd.  

this is actually the eagles 7th trip to ther NFC title game since 2000.  that's pretty crazy as well.  



here's why i believe the eagles have a slight advantage:

- in their last 9 games, the 49ers have only played on the road twice.  and both of those games were on the west coast (seattle/vegas).  while purdy has rightfully been praised, you can argue that part of his success is that he's played mostly at home.  will he have the same comfort in a more hostile environment?  if he's going to stumble or get rattled, it will happen when he's on the road.

- the eagles are relatively healthy.  they are banged up for sure but 21 out of their 22 game 1 starters will likely start which is big.  of course, a lot of riding on jalen hurts and lane johnson being able to play at a high level while both are playing through injury. 

- i thought the game was winnable for dallas but dak's two INT's were too costly to overcome.  and the strength of the cowboys is their pass rush.  but the eagles actually have a better pass rush than the cowboys.  it also appeared to me that dallas's defensive line was fatigued in the 4th quarter.  the eagles have much better depth and rotate 8 players in all game.  fatigue won't be a problem for the eagles in the 4th.

- the eagles had a bye week last week and i'm fairly certain eagles coaches have been prepping for san fran for several weeks now. 

- the 49ers have been the nfl media's darlings for quite a while now.  it will allow the eagles to play the underdog role even if they are not technically the underdog. 

of course san fran has a path to victory.  they have awesome skilled players who make big plays (deebo, kettle, christian mccaffrey) and the best defense in the league.  they have a QB is very poised and manages the game well.  i know it's cliche but the game might just come down to the little things like penalties, health, taking care of the ball, etc).  that stuff is impossible to predict.  

  

Guess I'll be rooting for the Eagles...more OU guys on the Eagles: Jalen Hurts* and Lane Johnson. Only one guy on 49ers from OU: Trent Williams. And frankly, probably wouldn't root for 49ers anyway...can't stand them or their fans.

Hurts gets * because he only played one year at OU, he's more Tide than Sooner. Good example of a transfer working out for all parties.

alabama fans have gone out of their way on social media to claim hurts as theirs this week.  it's a lil funny that people care about that stuff.  

[oujour76]

Jan 25, 2023 8:27:53 GMT -5 snap infraction said:

Jan 24, 2023 11:23:22 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

Guess I'll be rooting for the Eagles...more OU guys on the Eagles: Jalen Hurts* and Lane Johnson. Only one guy on 49ers from OU: Trent Williams. And frankly, probably wouldn't root for 49ers anyway...can't stand them or their fans.

Hurts gets * because he only played one year at OU, he's more Tide than Sooner. Good example of a transfer working out for all parties.

alabama fans have gone out of their way on social media to claim hurts as theirs this week.  it's a lil funny that people care about that stuff.  

Ain't no explaining Alabama fans. Hurts is an example of something Lincoln Riley does well...coach quarterbacks. Without the year at OU Hurts likely much lower draft pick.

[snap infraction]

Jan 25, 2023 8:52:04 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

Jan 25, 2023 8:27:53 GMT -5 snap infraction said:

alabama fans have gone out of their way on social media to claim hurts as theirs this week.  it's a lil funny that people care about that stuff.  

Ain't no explaining Alabama fans. Hurts is an example of something Lincoln Riley does well...coach quarterbacks. Without the year at OU Hurts likely much lower draft pick.

well he had to leave bama b/c he wasn't going to start.  OU was def the best program that had availability.  i think hurts benefitted from all his coaches...saban, riley, doug peterson and nick sirianni in different ways.

what's overlooked is that eagles QB coach is brian johnson.  that name might sound familiar to SEC people.  he was a QB coach at miss state and then followed dan mullen to florida and was florida's offensive coordinator for a year before becoming the eagles QB coach.

why did the eagles pick brian johnson as their QB coach?  specifically for jalen hurts.  jalen hurts father was brian johnsons high school coach and the families had a really good relationship. the eagles smartly wanted a QB coach that already had an established relationship with hurts.  

you are going to see brian johnson's name buzzing this offseason for a NFL offensive coordinator job.  the connection to hurts was just a tidbit that i thought was neat.  

[oujour76]

Jan 25, 2023 9:04:43 GMT -5 snap infraction said:

Jan 25, 2023 8:52:04 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

Ain't no explaining Alabama fans. Hurts is an example of something Lincoln Riley does well...coach quarterbacks. Without the year at OU Hurts likely much lower draft pick.

well he had to leave bama b/c he wasn't going to start.  OU was def the best program that had availability.  i think hurts benefitted from all his coaches...saban, riley, doug peterson and nick sirianni in different ways.

what's overlooked is that eagles QB coach is brian johnson.  that name might sound familiar to SEC people.  he was a QB coach at miss state and then followed dan mullen to florida and was florida's offensive coordinator for a year before becoming the eagles QB coach.

why did the eagles pick brian johnson as their QB coach?  specifically for jalen hurts.  jalen hurts father was brian johnsons high school coach and the families had a really good relationship. the eagles smartly wanted a QB coach that already had an established relationship with hurts.  

you are going to see brian johnson's name buzzing this offseason for a NFL offensive coordinator job.  the connection to hurts was just a tidbit that i thought was neat.  

Interesting...did not know of that connection between Hurts and Johnson.

[cbisbig]

Jan 25, 2023 8:52:04 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

Jan 25, 2023 8:27:53 GMT -5 snap infraction said:

alabama fans have gone out of their way on social media to claim hurts as theirs this week.  it's a lil funny that people care about that stuff.  

Ain't no explaining Alabama fans. Hurts is an example of something Lincoln Riley does well...coach quarterbacks. Without the year at OU Hurts likely much lower draft pick.

He had Sark for two years before Riley

[cbisbig]

Jan 25, 2023 8:27:53 GMT -5 snap infraction said:

Jan 24, 2023 11:23:22 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

Guess I'll be rooting for the Eagles...more OU guys on the Eagles: Jalen Hurts* and Lane Johnson. Only one guy on 49ers from OU: Trent Williams. And frankly, probably wouldn't root for 49ers anyway...can't stand them or their fans.

Hurts gets * because he only played one year at OU, he's more Tide than Sooner. Good example of a transfer working out for all parties.

alabama fans have gone out of their way on social media to claim hurts as theirs this week.  it's a lil funny that people care about that stuff.  

Sounds like Hurts claims BAMA
www.al.com/sports/2022/01/jalen-hurts-theres-a-different-aura-around-bama-guys.html

Hurts, Smith and Dickerson are Alabama alumni.

“I think there’s a different aura around Bama guys,” Hurts said on Tuesday, “and how we operate and where we come from and kind of the standard we have for ourselves and what we’ve been around. That’s a testament to a great winning culture at Alabama, coach (Nick) Saban and the foundation he’s laid for all of those athletes to come through. I think we just kind of try to lead by example.”

[oujour76]

Jan 25, 2023 11:12:14 GMT -5 cbisbig said:

Jan 25, 2023 8:52:04 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

Ain't no explaining Alabama fans. Hurts is an example of something Lincoln Riley does well...coach quarterbacks. Without the year at OU Hurts likely much lower draft pick.

He had Sark for two years before Riley

You might want to check on that. Just saying.

[cbisbig]

Jan 25, 2023 11:45:09 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

Jan 25, 2023 11:12:14 GMT -5 cbisbig said:

He had Sark for two years before Riley

You might want to check on that. Just saying.

My bad..

2016 Kiffen (Sark was an analyst and only called plays in the nc game)
2017 Brian Dabol
2018 Mike Locksly

[oujour76]

Jan 25, 2023 12:00:11 GMT -5 cbisbig said:

Jan 25, 2023 11:45:09 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

You might want to check on that. Just saying.

My bad..

2016 Kiffen (Sark was an analyst and only called plays in the nc game)
2017 Brian Dabol
2018 Mike Locksly

No worries.

[daleko]

Jan 24, 2023 10:41:29 GMT -5 mscott59 said:

that philly is an 'underdog'.

 They are the Beagles. And they are going to the SB.