ClutchPoints
January football rarely comes with surprises. The NFC Wild Card Game between the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles, though, carries a familiar sense of unfinished business. These two heavyweights have crossed paths in high-stakes moments before. Sunday’s meeting promises another tense chapter. The reigning Super Bowl champs enter as the favorite, buoyed by home-field advantage and a defense built for postseason football. San Francisco, meanwhile, arrives wounded yet dangerous. They will lean on experience, star power, and the belief that its late-season stumble was an aberration rather than a warning sign.
The 49ers limp into the playoffs after a jarring end to the regular season. They scored a season-low three points in their Week 18 finale. That performance raised legitimate questions, particularly with injuries mounting across the roster. Offensive tackle Trent Williams remains questionable. The defense has also been hit hard. This has forced San Francisco to rely more heavily on scheme and discipline than raw depth. Against a physical Philadelphia defense, the margin for error will be thin. This is especially true in pass protection and third-down efficiency.
Still, the broader body of work matters. Prior to Week 18, the 49ers averaged over 35 points per game during a six-week stretch. They looked like one of the league’s most efficient and creative offenses. Brock Purdy has proven capable of rebounding quickly. Kyle Shanahan’s system is designed to generate mismatches even when personnel is compromised. Expect San Francisco to lean heavily on Christian McCaffrey as both a runner and receiver. They will use motion and tempo to slow down an Eagles front that thrives on disruption.
*Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*
Here we will look at and discuss some bold predictions for the game between the 49ers and the Eagles in Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season.
This could swing the entire game. Despite facing an Eagles secondary that ranks second in limiting opponent passer rating, Purdy is positioned for a volume-driven performance. Philadelphia’s defensive focus on McCaffrey underneath will open space in intermediate zones. That should allow Purdy to stack completions and build rhythm.
Purdy has quietly averaged over two touchdown passes per game during the back half of the season. He has also shown an ability to elevate in high-pressure moments. If San Francisco falls behind early, expect Shanahan to lean into quick-game concepts and play-action shots. That will push Purdy past the 300-yard mark. He should also account for at least three touchdowns.
If there is one non-negotiable element of San Francisco’s game plan, it is McCaffrey. With injuries along the offensive line and uncertainty in pass protection, McCaffrey becomes both the engine and the safety valve. His versatility forces Philadelphia to declare coverage early. That could create favorable looks regardless of alignment.
McCaffrey’s ability to turn short passes into chunk gains will be critical against the Eagles. Their defense thrives on limiting explosive...
