Eagles-49ers preview: Five things to watch when the 49ers have the ball

The Eagles' Run Game Faces Tough Test Against the 49ers' Powerful Defense

Christian McCaffrey's workload was staggering this season. Christian McCaffrey led the NFL with 413 touches, followed by Bijan Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook, and Jahmyr Gibbs. Despite his extensive role in the offense, McCaffrey averaged just 3.86 yards per carry in 2025, indicating that he struggled to be an effective runner.

The Niners' rushing attack was not impressive, as they ranked 24th in the league this season. The team's running game was only successful when it didn't turn over the ball, with just two fumbles on run plays all season. This is a crucial aspect for the Eagles defense to recognize, especially since their run defense has been inconsistent throughout the year.

The Niners' offense is not just built around McCaffrey but also features George Kittle and Jauan Jennings as key playmakers. However, the Eagles have improved their linebacking corps in recent weeks with new additions like Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, and Jihaad Campbell. While this presents a challenge for the Niners' offense to overcome, it also gives the Eagles an opportunity to exploit potential weaknesses.

The Niners' offensive line is light and susceptible to power running plays, which the Eagles possess in players like Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Moro Ojomo, Jaelan Phillips, and Brandon Graham. Brock Purdy, the Niners quarterback, holds onto the ball on average of 3.17 seconds per pass play, from snap to throw. The Eagles must also rush the passer with discipline to prevent Purdy's ability to extend plays and make mistakes.

Brock Purdy has been prone to turnovers throughout his career, throwing an INT on 3.5% of his passes this season. This will be a key aspect for the Eagles' defense to exploit, especially if they can keep Purdy in the pocket and limit his opportunities to make throws downfield.

The Niners have vastly improved their special teams play since the start of the season, thanks in part to Skyy Moore's performance on punt returns and Eddy Piñeiro's accuracy from field goal range. However, this presents a challenge for the Eagles' offense, which will need to find ways to counter the Niners' improved special teams play.

FeastinMeter: With these challenges, this matchup is expected to be an intense and closely contested game between the Eagles and 49ers
 
I just got back from the most random trip to the beach over the weekend. I was walking along the shore and saw this massive flock of seagulls hovering above me. It was so cool! 🐦 They were like a dark cloud, you know? Anyway, it made me think about how much I love the ocean. Have you ever noticed how the waves seem to change color depending on the time of day? I swear, it's like nature's own light show! I'm totally geeking out now...
 
This game is gonna be sick 🔥🏈, I mean the Eagles run defense has been all over the place but they got some new talent coming in and that's gonna change things up ⚡️. The Niners offense is tough but their quarterback, Purdy, seems to hold onto the ball way too long 🕰️, it's like he's trying to make a miracle happen every time 🔮. And McCaffrey, dude is getting crushed by defenders on running plays 😩, I don't think they're gonna be able to run all over the Eagles. The special teams play for both teams is gonna be huge, who's gonna come out on top? 🤔
 
🤔 I'm so hyped for this game lol, the eagles have a legit shot at beating the 49ers. Christian McCaffrey's struggles are a major red flag for them, idk how they're gonna move the ball with him like that. And their o-line is so weak, the eagles can just blitz and sack purdy all day long 🤑. And let's not forget about george kittle's weaknesses too, he's always getting beat by bigger defenders. I think the eagles' Dline has the edge here. It's gonna be a super physical game, lots of hits and big plays 🤯
 
I mean, can you blame them? The 49ers just got roasted by their own special teams unit. Skyy Moore's been doing all the work out there on punt returns, meanwhile Eddy Piñeiro's like the real MVP with his field goals 😏. But seriously, this game is gonna be a battle for sure. I love how the Eagles' D has finally come together and now they get to face a struggling run game. Jordan Davis is gonna have a field day 🤣...
 
Man... I'm watching this game and it's like, you know how we spend so much time trying to perfect our skills, but then we realize that success isn't just about us? It's about the whole team and how everyone works together. The Niners' offense is like a puzzle, right? They've got Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings, but it's not just about their individual skills - it's about how they work together to create scoring opportunities.

And then there's the Eagles' defense, which has been inconsistent all season. But in this game, I think their biggest challenge is going to be anticipating the Niners' offense's next move. It's like trying to predict a random event - you can prepare for it, but you can't always know what's going to happen.

It makes me think about the concept of 'flow' in sports. When an athlete is in flow, they're fully present and focused on the game, and that's when they perform at their best. But it's also a mental challenge - how do you stay focused under pressure? How do you overcome doubts and uncertainty?

This game is like a microcosm of life itself - with ups and downs, twists and turns. And in the end, it's not just about winning or losing, but about how we learn from our experiences and grow as individuals 💡
 
I'm thinkin', if Christian McCaffrey averaged only 3.86 yards per carry, that's kinda crazy for a guy with all those touches 🤯. The Niners' D has been decent, but they gotta be ready for McCaffrey to try and break off some big runs. And let's not forget, the Eagles' O-line is super weak, especially against power running plays. If Jordan Davis and co. can get their hands on Purdy a few times, that could open up some big holes ⚒️. The Niners' offense might be built around McCaffrey, but they gotta find ways to exploit their own weaknesses too, like keeping Brock from holding onto the ball for too long 😂.
 
Ugh, I'm already sensing a disappointing performance from the Eagles in this one 🤔. Their run defense has been all over the place, so if McCaffrey's workload is that heavy, it's only a matter of time before they get exposed by the Niners' offense. And don't even get me started on Brock Purdy - throwing an INT 3.5% of the time? That's just begging to be exploited by the Eagles defense 😒.

Plus, with Skyy Moore making big plays on punt returns for the Niners, it'll be tough for the Eagles to even get decent field position 🤦‍♂️. And let's not forget that Brock Purdy takes way too long to throw passes - if the Eagles can just keep him in the pocket and limit his opportunities to make mistakes, they should be golden 💪.

I'm going into this one expecting a close game, but at the end of the day, I think the Niners' offense is just gonna wear down the Eagles' defense. Not my money on this one 🤑
 
I'm low-key hyped for this one 🤩. The Eagles' D has been all over the place this season, but with those new additions like Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean, they're finally looking solid. The Niners' offense is trying to do too much with McCaffrey, and if they can get him to turn it over, that's a huge blow. I'm thinking the Eagles should bring that heat on Brock Purdy, keep him in the pocket and limit those deep throws... that dude can extend plays, but if he can't find open receivers, it's gonna be tough. And let's not forget about the Niners' D, they're pretty stout, so it's gonna take everything the Eagles have to come out on top 🏈🔥
 
🐦😬 I'm so hyped for this one, but my nerves are killing me! The 49ers' defense has been absolutely beastly all season, and I think they're gonna make life tough for Jalen Hurts. McCaffrey's workload is insane, but he just can't seem to break off any big runs. And don't even get me started on the Niners' D-line - those guys are like a wall! 🚧 But you know what's even scarier? Purdy's got a history of turning it over, so if the Eagles can keep him in the pocket and limit his options... 🔥 It's gonna be a battle for sure! Can't wait to see how it all plays out! 💪
 
man... think about it... Christian McCaffrey's workload is crazy but his yards per carry are underwhelming... that got me thinking about how much we put on our bodies in sports... all those touches, hits, collisions... what's the cost of that to our overall health and well-being? 🤯

and then you look at the Niners' defense and their issues with fumbles... it's like, they're trying to control the tempo of the game but can't seem to hold onto the ball... it's a reminder that even when we think we've got things under control, there's always something else lurking beneath the surface...

and have you noticed how the Eagles' defense has improved with new additions? it's like, they're not just reacting to the Niners' offense, but actually driving the conversation themselves... that's what I love about football - it's all about strategy and adaptability...

anyway... this game is gonna be a nail-biter... can't wait to see how it plays out 🏈
 
man, i'm hyped for this one! 🤩 christian mccaffrey's workload was insane this season but he struggled to make it work on the ground, averaging like only 3.86 yards per carry. that's gotta be a weakness for the niners to exploit against the eagles' D, who've had some inconsistencies in their run defense. and with george kittle and jauan Jennings as key playmakers, they'll need to find ways to get them involved if mccaffrey's running game isn't clicking 🤔

but i love how the eagles have stepped up their linebacking corps, adding new blood like zack baun, nakobe dean, and jihaad campbell. that gives them some serious matchup problems for the niners' offense to deal with. and let's not forget about purdy's struggles with turnovers - if the eagles can keep him in the pocket and limit those throws downfield, they've got a good shot at shutting down the niners' offense 🚫

special teams are always a wild card, but i think the eagles might struggle to find ways to counter the niners' improved play. moore's punt returns have been on fire, and piñeiro's accuracy from field goal range has been clutch. the eagles will need to find some magic if they wanna come out on top 💫
 
lol what a joke christain mccaffrey averaged like 3.86 yards per carry and you're saying he's the key to the niners offense lololol i think they need to work on their running game or something 🤣

and the eagles are gonna love blitzing bro purdy all day long those linebackers are fire 😂 the niners are gonna have a hard time keeping them in the pocket and preventing turnovers.

i dont care if skyy moore is good at punt returns or eddy piñeiro is accurate from field goal range, the eagles offense is still gonna struggle against the 49ers defense 🤦‍♂️.
 
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." 🌟

I think the 49ers are going to struggle against the Eagles' defense because they're like a team that's constantly trying to catch up, you know? They need Christian McCaffrey to be effective and it looks like he's been carrying the load all season. But the thing is, the Eagles have got some of the best defensive linemen in the league and if they can keep Brock Purdy in the pocket, I think they're going to shut down their offense. It's going to be a real challenge for the 49ers to come out on top 🤔
 
I'm thinkin' the Niners' D looks super tough against the run 🤔. Christian McCaffrey's yardage per carry was kinda low last season, so if he can't break off some big runs, it'll be a tough day for the offense. And with their O-line being light, the Eagles' defensive line is gonna love exploitin' that 👊. Purdy's also got some issues with holdin' onto the ball, which the Eagles can use to their advantage by rushin' the passer and makin' him drop back quick 🏃‍♂️. It's gonna be a battle, but I think Philly's defense has an edge here 💯
 
Man 🤔 this game is gonna be super tough for Christian McCaffrey to break through... not just 'cause of the Niners' defense but also because he's been carrying a heavy load all season. It's like, how much more can one guy really give? 💪 and I think that's where the Eagles' pass rush comes in - they gotta keep Purdy on the run and limit those big plays downfield... it's not just about stopping McCaffrey but also about controlling the tempo of the game 🕰️. And what's up with the Niners' special teams? one day they're killing it, next day they're giving away yards... it's like they can't find consistency 🔀. anyway, should be a great matchup!
 
I'm really nervous about this one. The Eagles' run defense has been all over the place this season and the 49ers have a ton of talented players who can make big plays. I mean, Christian McCaffrey is still going to get his touches, but if he's having trouble breaking tackles like he was last year, that's bad news for the Eagles. And don't even get me started on Brock Purdy - throwing an INT 3.5% of the time is crazy high! The Eagles need to be able to rush the passer and keep him in the pocket if they want to come out on top 🤯
 
The Niners are gonna struggle against the Eagles' D. McCaffrey's workload was crazy this season but he just couldn't break through. Their O-line is weak and the Eagles can attack them with power plays. Purdy's gotta step up or get picked off all day long 🤑. The Eagles got some new blood in their LB corps and it could be a game changer. They need to keep McCaffrey contained and force Purdy into mistakes. This one's gonna be a war 💥
 
omg I'm so hyped for this game!!! 🤩 The Niners have been on a roll but I think the Eagles defense can pull off a miracle 😲 Those linebacking additions are gonna give them the edge they need to shut down McCaffrey's workload. And omg Brock Purdy holding onto that ball for 3.17 seconds is just begging for an interception 🤯 The Eagles' power running game is so strong, I'm thinking they can take control of this game and make it a blowout! 💥 Go Eagles!!!
 
I'm low-key thinking that Christian McCaffrey's massive workload last season was a major concern... like, his average of just 3.86 yards per carry sounds super concerning 🤯. You'd think with all those touches, he should be making some bigger moves on the field, but I guess it shows he wasn't as effective as people thought 🤔.

The Niners' defense is gonna have to bring their A-game if they wanna contain the Eagles' offense, 'specially with McCaffrey's role being so big. And honestly, I'm a bit surprised they're not taking advantage of Brock Purdy's turnover issues more often... it's like an open-and-shut case 🤦‍♂️.

The Niners' special teams play has definitely improved, but the Eagles need to find ways to counter that. This game is gonna be a real battle, and I'm excited to see how both teams match up 💥
 
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