Just one game stands between the 49ers and their second Super Bowl appearance in four seasons.
But San Francisco faces a formidable foe in the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles, who hope to end the 49ers’ 12-game winning streak in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field.
So who are the NFL pundits picking to win this game of epic proportions? We’ve rounded up their picks and here’s what they’re saying:
Albert Breer, senior NFL reporter: 49ers
Mitch Goldich, Editor: eagles
Gary Gramling, Senior Editor: eagles
Conor Orr, Senior Writer: 49ers
John Plume, Editor-in-Chief: 49ers
Those responses are from four assistant coaches and two front office executives, all of whom have not been named.
“I think Philly can do something similar in Dallas’ defense with the pressure,” the executive said. “Dallas was unable to capitalize on offense [against the Niners]. Philly’s offense could put even more pressure on them [to force the 49ers to play more aggressively on offense to keep pace]. It should be accounted for [Eagles quarterback Jalen] Hurts in the run game will slow down their edges. The ’90s play that kind of two-high safety, but it won’t matter to Philly because they don’t run as vertically and they’ll just attack the middle of the field.”
“At the end of the day, Brock Purdy is going to struggle,” Coach said. “If the Eagles can stop the streak, they have a great chance to win a close game at home.”
“The Niners will make it close, but at the end of the day the Eagles are the better team overall,” said another executive. “Philly’s defense will make life more difficult for Purdy than previous opponents.”
“The Eagles’ scoring production will be too much for San Fran to handle,” a second coach said. “The defensive line will pressure Purdy’s pocket and make it difficult for the interior pass game. It won’t be a bust, but I see the latter part of the fourth quarter being uncompetitive. I don’t see the time or the audience to be bossy about San Fran. Philly is simply the best team in the NFC.”
“San Fran’s defense is good,” said a third coach, “but Philly’s system will prevail at home.”
Picks: Eagles 6, 49ers 0
“The 49ers streak of 27 straight games without allowing a rusher to exceed 70 yards on the ground (including the playoffs) will end because of Hurts. The Niners have struggled against mobile quarterbacks in past seasons, but didn’t see much this season, which is why they were fifth in the NFL in yards allowed per quarterback rush (3.4). Hurts poses more of a challenge, ranking fourth among quarterbacks in rushing yards (760) and first in rushing touchdowns (13). 82 yards and a score in Week 2 last season against San Francisco, and with the Niners slowing down the deep passing game, he could offer a similar performance on the ground.” — Nick Wagoner
Eric Moody’s picks: Eagles 27, 49ers 24
Seth Walder’s pick: Eagles 24, 49ers 16
FPI forecast: PHI, 65.3% (average 4.5 points)
Pete Prisco: eagles
Jason La Campora: eagles
Will Brinson: eagles
Jared Dubin: 49ers
Ryan Wilson: 49ers
John Breach: 49ers
Dave Richard: eagles
Jamie Eisenberg: eagles
Jarrett Bell: eagles
Chris Bumbaka: 49ers
Nate Davis: 49ers
Safid Dean: eagles
Tyler Dragon: eagles
Lorenzo Reyes: 49ers
RELATED: Faithful to be vastly outnumbered by Eagles fans at Linc
“Over the course of the season, the Eagles have been the better team. But in the last few months since Brock Purdy became the 49ers’ starting quarterback, the 49ers have been better. I don’t want to take away from the great season Jalen Hurts and the Eagles had and playing in Philadelphia is an advantage, but I think the 49ers are playing better football than the Eagles right now and I’m picking the upset.” — Michael David Smith
The choice of MDS: 49ers 24, Eagles 21
“This is still a quarterback-driven league. And Jaylen Hurts is a much more complete quarterback than Brock Purdy. Yes, Purdy has yet to lose a game. He also hasn’t faced a team like the Eagles yet, in a place like Philly.. Maybe he’ll make a clutch play that gets the win. Maybe the 49ers are otherwise good enough that he doesn’t have to. Regardless, Hurts is the more proven quarterback and I have more faith in him to make a big play in a big place and/or inspire his teammates at the right time to do something that will make a difference. It’s going to be a very small difference.” — Mike Florio
Florio’s Choice: Eagles 24, 49ers 23
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