Late-Game Theatrics Mask Glaring Issues as 49ers Survive Eagles, 23–19
4 min read
OAKLAND, Calif. — Inside the official watch party at The Plank in Oakland, 49ers fans erupted into dance and celebration as San Francisco closed through adversity to secure a 23–19 Wild Card win.
In Philadelphia, the No. 3-seeded Eagles clashed with the No. 6-seeded 49ers in a postseason matchup decided on the final drive.
In Lincoln Financial Field, the crowd of more than 65,000 clad in green, black, and white created a funnel of noise in cold, cloudy conditions, attempting to stifle the San Francisco offense.
Back in Oakland, nearly 250 fans in red and gold packed The Plank to watch the NFL playoffs alongside 49ers great Ronnie Lot.
Margherita, who travelled from Richmond to see Lott summed up the mood simply: “I hella love him.” Thirty minutes before kickoff, she said the “energy is high” as she shared her excitement for Wild Card weekend.
Her prediction: “28–21, Niners!”
Kittle injured as Eagles control the time of possession
Without wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, quarterback Brock Purdy leaned on his running backs early.. DeMarcus Robinson hauled in a 61-yard reception to move the offense into the red zone before finishing with a 2-yard touchdown to give the 49ers a 7–0 lead.
San Francisco also entered the game without linebacker Dee Winters (ankle), defensive tackle Kevin Givens, and cornerback Chase Lucas. The injury bug has plagued the 49ers all season, who have suffered the third-most injuries in the NFL.
Tight end George Kittle went down with a torn achilles midway through the second quarter and was carted off to the locker room.
Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts took advantage of depleted defense, leading an opening drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown to TE Dallas Goedert.
Although left tackle Trent Williams returned from the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 17, San Francisco struggled to move the chains on the ground,
After two three-and-outs, the 49ers pinned Philadelphia inside its own 10-yard-line. With a balanced attack, the Eagles marched downfield and finished the drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Goedert.
San Francisco later faced fourth-and-2 at its own 18 and settled for a 36-yard field goal by Eddy Piñeiro, cutting the deficit to 13–10 at halftime.
Philadelphia dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 10 more minutes than San Francisco and wearing down an already exhausted defense.
Purdy’s redemption: Mistakes turned into celebration
San Francisco started hot, with a defensive stop and a drive midfield before Pudy threw an interception to cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
The Eagles extended their lead to 16–10 on a 41-yard field goal by Jake Elliot with 2:11 remaining in the third quarter.
On a fake-reverse end-around, wide receiver Jauan Jennings sparked the 49ers offense with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey, putting San Francisco ahead 17–16 early in the fourth quarter.
When the momentum briefly favored the 49ers, Purdy threw his second interception of the night, again to Mitchell.
Philadelphia’s offensive line continued opening lanes for running back Saquon Barkley, who exited briefly after jogging off in pain at the San Francisco 21-yard line. The drive ended with a 33-yard field goal by Elliott, giving the Eagles a 19–17 lead.
Late in the fourth quarter, San Francisco answered with a 10-play, 5:06 drive, capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass to McCaffrey, who walked it in. A missed extra point left the 49ers ahead 23–19 with three minutes remaining.
Philadelphia mounted a final push without using a timeout. The Eagles moved the ball to the San Francisco 21 before taking one last shot on fourth-and-11.
The 49ers defense deflected a pass intended for Goedert, ending Philadelphia’s season. Inside The Plank, the crowd erupted as fans jumped, hugged strangers, and screamed in relief.
Outside the bar, “Bang Bang Niner Gang” blared through the speakers as fans danced on tables and popped their collars. The Bay Area flare was released, here in Oakland.
Purdy finished 18-for-31 (58%) for 262 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Hurts went 20-for-35 (57%) with just one touchdown.
San Francisco struggled at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Barkley rushed for 106 yards on 26 carries, while McCaffrey mustered 48 yards on 15 attempts.
Pulse Takeaway: Looking ahead
Excessive injuries and exceeded expectations has defined the 49ers’ season.
After being dominated in time of possession by Seattle last week, San Francisco again struggled as Philadelphia controlled the ball for 35:39 compared to the 49ers’ 24:21.
There are clear issues to address before next week’s matchup with division rival Seattle: injuries, time of possession and physicality up front.
But this Sunday, it didn’t matter.
Tessa, celebrating among the faithful at The Plank, said the 49ers “got the livest fans in the NFL.”
Asked what improvement she wants to see heading into next week, her answer was immediate: “Injuries.”