The picks are in and we’re looking at who the NFL Experts are picking in the Philadelphia Eagles NFC Championship matchup against the San Francisco 49ers
The Eagles and 49ers are preparing for a heavyweight showdown on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, highlighted by star power on both sides of the football.
Philadelphia got off to a 13-1 start and outside of two consecutive losses without an injured Jalen Hurts, the Eagles have been the NFC’s top team.
San Francisco has battled adversity and the loss of two starting quarterbacks but has now won 12 straight, with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy unbeaten in his first seven starts replacing an injured Jimmy Garoppolo.
The 49ers are in the NFC Championship Game for the third time in four seasons, while Philadelphia is making its seventh NFC title appearance since 2001, more than every team in the NFL accept the Patriots over that span.
With kickoff fast approaching, here are seven matchups to watch when the Eagles have the football.
Looking at who has the positional edge in the NFC Championship Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers
Successful NFL defenses rely on talented playmakers and versatility across the board, something Jonathan Gannon has implemented during his two seasons with the Eagles.
Roseman then acquired C.J. Gardner-Johnson via trade from the Saints, and the perfect ‘GUMBO’ recipe was developed, allowing Gannon to cook this season with a top-five defense in several key categories.
With two evenly matchup teams set to meet on Sunday, we’re looking at who has the edge at each position for Philadelphia and San Francisco.
We’re looking at 13 more key stats to know for Sunday’s NFC Championship Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are heading to Lincoln Financial Field as the No. 2 overall seed and with the reputation of having the NFL’s top defense.
Even with elite pass rushers and an All-Pro linebacker, this 49ers’ defense has holes and it can be found in the back four, and when teams are able to physically match up with DeMeco Ryan’s defense up front.
Philadelphia (14-3) defeated the New York Giants 38-7 on Saturday to clinch a spot in the title game and then watched on Sunday evening, as the Niners (13-4) defeated the Cowboys 19-12 at Levi’s Stadium.
Philadelphia rushed for 268 yards on the ground as offensive coordinator Shane Steichen got back to his superb run-pass ratio on Saturday night, as the Birds ran 69 total plays, 44 of those plays coming on the ground.
With kickoff fast approaching, here are 13 more stats to know.
The broadcast team for Sunday’s NFC Championship matchup has been announced and the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament finally gets Fox A-Team on the broadcast.
The FOX broadcast team for the Eagles vs. 49ers title game will feature Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews, and Tom Rinaldi.
Philadelphia and San Francisco will meet at 3:00 PM on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in the first of two conference championship games.
We’re looking at 10 early stats to know ahead of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers
The Eagles are one win away from returning to the Super Bowl and they’ll face a familiar foe in the NFC Championship game when the San Francisco 49ers head to Lincoln Financial Field next Sunday at 3:00 pm.
Philadelphia (14-3) defeated the New York Giants 38-7 on Saturday to clinch a spot in the title game and then watched on Sunday evening, as the Niners (13-4) defeated the Cowboys 19-12 at Levi’s Stadium.
The two teams last met in Week 2 of the 2021 regular season, with San Francisco defeating Philadelphia 17-11 as Jimmy Garoppolo threw one touchdown pass and ran in for another score.
All-Pro quarterback Jalen Hurts had an uneven performance in the loss, completing just 12 of 23 passes for 190 yards. He rushed for 82 yards, including a 1-yard TD in the fourth quarter.
In that matchup from last season, Nick Bosa had two sacks and San Francisco’s defense shut down Philadelphia was dominant against Atlanta in a 32-6 season-opening win.
Both teams are far different from that Week 2 matchup and the Eagles are much more explosive on offense after the addition of A.J. Brown.
With preparation set to begin, we’re looking at ten early stats to know for the NFC Championship Game.
After losing Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers signed Josh Johnson off the Broncos’ practice squad.
After losing Jimmy Garoppolo to a season-ending foot injury, the San Francisco 49ers are turning the offense over to rookie Brock Purdy.
Purdy began the year as the team’s third-string QB behind Trey Lance and Garaoppolo. He is now QB1 in San Francisco, so the 49ers turned to the Denver Broncos’ practice squad to add more depth at the position.
That leaves the Broncos with two quarterbacks: Russell Wilson and his backup, Brett Rypien. Denver will now likely consider adding a third quarterback to the practice squad to fill Johnson’s old spot.
The Carolina Panthers are set to part ways with Baker Mayfield, so he could be an experienced backup option, but Mayfield will likely draw a lot of interest, perhaps even from the 49ers.
The #49ers are signing a familiar face to back up QB Brock Purdy.
The 49ers once again need to find quarterback help, and they’re turning to a familiar face. With QB Jimmy Garoppolo sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering a broken foot in the 49ers’ 33-17 win over the Dolphins, San Francisco is signing veteran signal caller Josh Johnson off the Broncos’ practice squad according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Johnson will join the 49ers’ 53-man roster while Jacob Eason remains the practice squad QB. He’ll be responsible for backing up rookie seventh-round pick and now starter Brock Purdy.
This will be Johnson’s fourth stint with San Francisco. He first joined the club in 2012, but was cut. Then he was back with the team in 2014 and during the 2020 campaign.
Since joining the NFL in 2008 as a fifth-round pick of the Buccaneers, Johnson has played in 37 games with nine starts while bouncing around to 14 different NFL teams and various minor pro leagues. He’s completed 58.1 percent of his throws for 2,270 yards with 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Johnson has a 1-8 record as a starter.
The 49ers won’t have to clear a roster to spot to add Johnson since they’ve yet to fill the roster spot vacated by Elijah Mitchell when he went on IR. Garoppolo will soon go to IR as well though which opens an additional slot on the 53-man roster.
Lions sign CB Jarren Williams to the practice squad after a tryout and released rookie WR Josh Johnson
Tuesday is traditionally tryout day around the NFL. Even with the regular team off for a scheduled day of rest, teams bring in free agents to audition for the team.
The Detroit Lions found a successful audition this week. After trying out two defensive backs, the Lions signed cornerback Jarren Williams to the team’s practice squad. Detroit also worked out CB Chris Wilcox.
Williams is in his third NFL season after joining the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent out of Albany back in 2020. He’s spent the bulk of his career with the New York Giants, playing in eight games over two seasons and starting two in 2021. The 5-foot-10 Williams has recorded 18 career tackles and one PD.
To make room on the practice squad for Williams, the Lions released rookie WR Josh Johnson.
Russell Wilson has been ruled out for Week 7. Denver also elevated QB Josh Johnson and LS Mitchell Fraboni from the practice squad.
Russell Wilson wanted to try to play through a hamstring injury against the New York Jets in Week 7, but the Denver Broncos have decided to take a cautious approach with their quarterback this weekend.
Wilson was downgraded from “questionable” to “out” on the team’s injury report on Saturday. After the QB was ruled out, Denver announced that Brett Rypien will start against New York on Sunday.
This will mark the second start of Rypien’s career. His first start was a 37-28 win over the Jets in 2020.
With Wilson set to be inactive, the Broncos elevated quarterback Josh Johnson from the practice squad to serve as Rypien’s backup. The team also elevated long snapper Mitchell Fraboni from the practice squad to the game-day roster. Both players will revert back to the practice squad on Monday.
Denver also placed OLB Aaron Patrick (torn ACL) on injured reserve on Saturday and brought in four players for tryouts: OT Christian DiLauro, LB Emeke Egbule, DE Azur Kamara and LB Zach McCloud.
Can you guess who was Washington’s quarterback the last time the team faced the Jaguars?
“When They Last Met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.
Washington 16, Jacksonville 13 – Week 15, December 16, 2018
Dustin Hopkins’ 36-yard field goal on the game’s final play provided Washington a 16-13 win over the Jaguars at TIAA Stadium in Jacksonville.
Tied 13-13, Fabian Moreau’s interception of a Cody Kessler pass intended for Dede Westbrook halted a 7-play Jacksonville drive at the Washington 29. Moreau’s 16-yard return put the ball at Washington’s 45 with 2:31 remaining.
The Redskins then drove 36 yards to the Jaguars’ 19-yard line, setting up Hopkins’ opportunity to win the game with his field goal. Persistently, Washington had gone to Adrian Peterson on six consecutive plays before quarterback Josh Johnson knelt for a 2-yard loss, setting-up Hopkins for his game-winner.
Peterson ran for 4 yards, had a 7-yard completion from Johnson, then runs of 15,7,1 and 4 yards before Johnson’s kneel-down put Hopkins where he wanted the ball snapped for his winning field goal.
Former Washington kicker Kai Forbath’s 41-yard field goal with 11:16 remaining had extended the Jacksonville lead to 13-6. But Johnson led Washington on a 68-yard drive in 10 plays, tying the score on his 6-yard pass to Jeremy Sprinkle at the right pylon.
Ryan Kerrigan and Jonathan Allen both had productive days defensively for Washington. Kerrigan collected 2 QB sacks, 5 solo tackles, 4 QB hits, one forced fumble and a tackle for a loss. Allen also earned 2 QB sacks, 4 solo tackles, three tackles for a loss and 2 QB hits.
Johnson completed 16 of 25 passing attempts for 151 yards, also rushing for 49 yards on 9 carries. Jamison Crowder led Washington receivers with 4 receptions for 46 yards. While Peterson rushed for 51 yards on 19 carries.
Westbrook enjoyed the game’s biggest play when he returned a Tress Way punt 74 yards for a touchdown with only 4 seconds remaining in the half, giving the Jaguars a 10-3 lead.
