The Philadelphia Eagles have found their way back into the playoffs with an 11-6 record, and are NFC East winners. The Eagles are riding high off of their dominant 40-22 Super Bowl victory over the Chiefs last season. However, do they have enough to make it back?
The Eagles started the season off on a high note with an 8-2 record. However, the team stumbled through the final few games of the season and finished the season with a 3-4 record. Jalen Hurts and the offense has struggled to maintain consistency, especially in the run game. The team ranked second in the NFL last season with 179.3 yards per game, but this season rank 18th with 116.9.
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Star running back Saquon Barkley has also had his struggles this season. After bursting onto the scene last season with 2,005 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, he has cooled off this season. He finished this season with 1,140 yards, nine touchdowns and finished with four games of 100-plus rushing yards.
The 49ers are coming into the game with something to prove. The team finished 12-5, and lost to the Seahawks in week 18, which cost them the chance at being the first overall seed in the NFC.
One of those reasons for being 12-5 is a healthy Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey has had quite the season with 2,126 total yards and 17 touchdowns. The team also averages 244.5 passing yards per game, which is fifth in the league.
The one struggle this season for the 49ers is the defensive line. The 49ers are last in the league in sacks with 20, and struggle forcing turnovers, only averaging 0.9 turnovers per game.
With this, the Eagles have a chance to take advantage of a weak 49ers front. Especially since the 49ers are 25th in passing yards per game, this could force Jalen Hurts to rely on his big target A.J. Brown as well as Devonta Smith. Brown has expressed frustrations this season with his play, and could see a lot of action.
If the Eagles were to win, this little bit of confidence could go a long way.
