Philadelphia Eagles (1) – San Francisco 49ers (2): 31-7
Deprived of their titular quarterback from the start of the match, and of his replacement on returning from the locker room, the 49ers could not do better than figuration in a one-sided NFC final. Without real opposition, the Eagles logically flew to the Super Bowl after a game that was nevertheless serious and diligent on both sides of the ball.
Key moment: Brock Purdy’s injury
The suspense was quickly extinguished in this conference final. From the first possession and on the 6e game only, the young quarterback is hit in the arm on a sack by Haason Reddick. Touched in full motion, Purdy was no longer able to throw the leather. First on the sidelines, he had to come back after the concussion of his replacement. But totally handicapped, he could only do figuration by systematically passing the ball to his runners.
Movie of the game
No observation round in this conference final, from the first drive Philly’s attack showed his talent. Despite a lot of pressure, Hurts is doing well by relying on his stars. First AJ Brown low to the ground, then Devonta Smith one-handed on 4th and 3. And it’s Miles Sanders who finishes the work on the ground. But while the reaction is expected for San Francisco, cold snap on the men of the bay. On a sack from Reddick, Brock Purdy commits the fumble but above all is hit in the arm and must give way to veteran Josh Johnson on the 4th.e quarterback in the hierarchy and 36 years on the clock.
And inevitably the attack of the 49ers accuses the blow and must punter twice. But carried by a heroic defense which annihilates the opposing possessions, they remain within reach and even come back to height thanks to the Christian McCaffrey show.
CMC putting the team on his back 🔥
📺: #SFvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/FKUP5TdmfQ pic.twitter.com/LAHKDteiXo— NFL (@NFL) January 29, 2023
But it is the only bright spot for Kyle Shanahan’s men. Behind, the Eagles put the forward gear. A long series of 14 games and almost 7 minutes concludes once again with a run from Sanders. And in less than a minute, they will even make the break. Johnson does not provide the game and makes the leather 30 yards from his end zone. A bonus bonus in 7 additional points a few seconds before halftime.
And as if that weren’t enough, upon returning from the locker room, the understudy quarterback suffered a concussion. Surreal scene with the two pitchers on the flank, we think for a moment that it is McCaffrey who will take on the costume. Eventually Purdy returns to the field to run… McCaffrey. On one arm, the one who was to be the hero of the gold diggers is now only figurative.
It doesn’t take much for the Eagles to definitively kill an already dead and buried suspense. 91 yards reassembled in almost eight minutes and it is Hurts himself who concludes in force in an almost rugby style. The last quarter is just a way of the cross for San Francisco and a walk for Philly. After adding 3 more points, they even have the luxury of leaving Hurts on the bench late in the game.
MVP: Haason Reddick
Main rookie of the offseason, the former Arizona player had a great season. But what about his performance in this NFC final. He did almost everything to his opponents. Elusive, especially in the first half, he made 2 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, forced the fumble (and injury) from Purdy, and recovered the fumble from Johnson.
The flop: the show
Nipped in the bud, this NFC conference final did not keep the announced promises of the clash between two magnificent and complete squads on both sides of the ball, 1er and 2e of the regular season. After a successful start, Philadelphia only had to capitalize without ever being worried for lack of adversity.
The stat: 11
The number of penalty tissues thrown at the 49ers. If some have asked questions, the figure still shows that the players have gradually lost the thread and their nerves in a match that quickly escaped them. Mood gestures like the exclusion of Trent Williams at the end of the match after a judo catch in the beginning of a general fight.
And now ?
Five years later, here are the Eagles back at the Super Bowl. Brilliant leader of the regular season, they therefore assumed their status during these playoffs to open the way to the Big Game in Glendale in two weeks. The opponent will be either Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs or Joe Burrow’s Bengals.
