by Geep
* In 11 games this season, CMC has 1,328 scrimmage yards and 16 TD'S. It's not just his ability to run the ball, you also have to account for his receiving.
* Then there's Kittle, who has 46 catches for 667 yards and 5 TD's. The Eagles have given up 55 catches for 520 yards and 6 TD's to opposing TE's. Also, it's likely LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring) won’t play. That means LB's Morrow and Elliss will start and they'll have trouble double covering either Kittle or CMC.
The question then is, can either Morrow, or Elliss, cover Kittle, or CMC
as a receiver? TBD!
* Eagles CB's vs. Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk:
Deebo said Eagles CB, James Bradberry, is “trash.”
The 9ers have a strong 1-2 punch with Aiyuk and Samuel, who are 3Rd and 4Th in receptions this year. Aiyuk has 45 catches for 881 yards and 5 TD's, while Samuel has 34/474/1 this season in 9 games. I see
Slay matching up with the speedier Aiyuk, which would give us all the Samuel-Bradberry matchup we want to see! I look for Deebo to put up some numbers against Bradberry!
* Haason Reddick vs. Colton McKivitz:
The 9ers O line is descent, but have allowed 21 sacks all season, which ranks tied for 4th fewest in the NFL. Left tackle Trent Williams is 35 now but is still playing at an incredibly high level.
A matchup that's in the Eagles’ favor, is Reddick against RT McKivitz.
I look for the 9ers to block Reddick with a backup TE, rather than risk
getting BP injured AGAIN!!!!!
McKivitz was a 5th Rd. pick who's in his 1st season as a full-time starter. He's given up a team-high 5 sacks, 3, QB hits and 27 total pressures (according to ProFootballFocus). So if there’s a weak spot on the line, that’s it and Reddick could have a big performance. And it also really extends to the entire right side of the line. RG S Burford hasn’t been that solid either.
Reddick, 29, has 8 1/2 sacks in 11 games this season and has had another couple taken from him on intentional grounding calls. While Josh Sweat has been the Eagles’ most consistent edge rusher this season. Sweat however, will have to deal with TW in this game.
* McKivitz is a former fifth-round pick who is in his first season as a full-time starter. He has given up a team-high five sacks, 3, QB hits and 27 total pressures, according to ProFootballFocus. So if there’s a weak spot on the line, that’s it and Reddick could have a big performance. And it also really extends to the entire right side of the line. Right guard Spencer Burford hasn’t been that solid either.
* Lane Johnson vs. Nick Bosa:
Getting Johnson back for this one is a big deal. Bosa is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year after an 18 1/2-sack season in 2022. He’s still the best player on the D-line, but there are other pieces to worry about. Javon Hargrave switched sides this offseason and has rushed the QB at a high level. Hargrave is 2nd on the team with 6 sacks. And the 9ers still have A Armstead and they added Chase Young at the trade deadline. The 9ers have 33 sacks as a team so far
this season and would love to add more against the Eagles.
* D’Andre Swift vs. 9ers run defense:
Swift has been the Eagles’ best RB all season, but even Kenny Gainwell and Boston Scott chipped in last week against the Bills. Swift is just 29 scrimmage yards away from 1,000 on the season and he’s been pretty good the last 2 weeks, rushing for 76 yards against the Chiefs and 80 yards against the Bills. He’s also averaged 6.0 yards per carry over the last two games.
The last time these 2 teams played the Eagles had 148 rushing yards but the Eagles were able to build an early lead and kill clock in the 2nd half. THE 9ERS NEED TO SCORE EARLY...Keep the Eagles offense on the bench and keep their D on the field.
* Jalen Hurts vs. 9ers takeaway defense:
Hurts is the favorite to win the league MVP award in 2023 and he’s been playing well, especially in the 2nd halve, to lead the Eagles to wins. But he's turned the football over. Through 11 games, he's thrown a career-high interceptions with 10, and he’s also lost 6 fumbles. His interception percentage of 2.8% ranks 8th in the NFL.
* As we all know, turnovers are a big deal. Especially because the 9ers D is opportunistic. They’re tied for 2nd in the NFL in total takeaways with 21 and they’re first in the NFL with 15 interceptions. The 9ers’ leaders in int's this season are Fred Warner and Talanoa Hufanga with three apiece. UNFORTUNATELY, Hufanga suffered a torn ACL in Week 11 and is out for the season! Who replaces Hufanga, and how well he plays, could determine the outcome of the game!.
Rookie Ji'Ayir Brown was the next man up on Sunday and had an impact on the game after initially giving up a long completion to Bucs wideout Rakim Jarrett on his first defensive play. Brown ended the game with four tackles, three passes defended (including a key fourth-down pass breakup with the Bucs threatening to make it a one-score game), and the game-sealing interception in the end zone.
Didn't McKivitz give up 3 of those five sacks in the first game?
ReplyDeleteDunno
DeleteUC
DeleteIn his first start at RT, McKivitz allowed 3 sacks to Watt and 5 hits on BP. He played well early, but struggled late in the 2nd quarter due to obvious passing situations.
This is going to be a very tough test. Eagles have a lot of match winners and will stress the 49ers both offensively and defensively.
ReplyDeleteI also wonder how the 49ers will handle their emotions. They need to come focused and ready to play, and not let the Eagles get them playing recklessly.
Just remember, football's 80% mental, 40% physical.
Delete-Steve Emtman
Scooter / Razor
DeleteIf the 9ers win this game, they need to accomplish 4 thing.
1) Score early, get the crowd out of the game, control the clock.
2) Keep RB Swift under 100 yards and out of the end zone.
3) Contain QB Hurts. Keep him in the pocket and don't let
him score late in the 4th Qtr.
4) No turnovers.
After 2 big, emotional wins, the past 2 weeks (KC and Bills)
and not needing a win to retain home field advantage in the
playoffs...The Eagles could come out emotionally flat to start the game!
Do not expect many sacks by the 49ers Sun. To limit Hurts running they will concentrate on keeping him in the pocket, while incrementally closing down the pocket. If they rush the passer aggressively like they have the last 3 games Hurts will end up running for 80 yards or more and the 9ers will lose by 14 points. imho
ReplyDeleteC'mon Greenlaw make it Hurts so good.
DeleteDeebo has set himself up as a target with his smack talk this past week. Eagles CB's will look to shut him up and shut him down.
ReplyDeleteWith this thought in mind, I see Jauan Jennings playing a pivotal part in the receiving game. Kittle's blocking may be more critical than receiving in this game. 49ers Off. needs to put together some long drives to help keep the D fresh for the important 4th QTR.
Key to winning will be keeping Hurts from running out of the pocket.
Should be a great match up.
The 49ers will win this game by at least 10 points.
ReplyDeleteReason why?
DeleteThe rest advantage alone is huge. The Eagles defense is worn down playing 74 snaps against the Chiefs and another 90 against the Bills. Their secondary is old and and their lb's can't cover.
DeleteRazor,
ReplyDeleteThose are good points. I also like the 49ers against the Eagles, but believe it will be a 3-6 point win. This game could be determined by a critical 4th QTR
turn-over. If either team needs a field goal or TD to win late in the game, I'd be more weary of Hurts than Brock. I would definitely like your 10 point 49ers win scenario, so that I wouldn't have to sweat it out late in the game.
If the early play indicates our DB's can stay with their receivers, I'd bring out the 5-man line in order to both contain Hurts and yet, rush aggressively. Helps against the run, too.
ReplyDeleteLee Grayling wrote the Anonymous above.
Delete