Tag: NFL Week 13 Awards

NFL Week 13 Awards: 49ers finally back up disrespectful trash talk against Nick Sirianni’s Eagles

The 49ers are the NFL’s best villain in a long time.

In terms of hype for conference title game rematches, Sunday’s battle between the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles was monumental. There was star power galore, established tension between two heavyweights, and some of the finest football coaches in the game. This should’ve been a back-and-forth affair going down to the wire that kept us on the edge of our seats for three hours.

Then the 49ers turned it into a 42-19 laugher where they embarrassed their top rival. Because that’s what they do.

After all the disrespectful trash talk of the Eagles for the better part of 10 months — from Brandon Aiyuk betting on the Chiefs in Super Bowl 57 and Christian McCaffrey’s petty analysis of the Big Game to George Kittle’s insinuation last year’s NFC title game would’ve been different with a healthy Brock Purdy — the 49ers finally enjoyed sweet, sweet vindication.

I mean, my god, a “Deebo” chant got going in Philadelphia, folks!

Even with all of Nick Sirianni’s brash motivational tactics to get his team ready, the 49ers took a needle to the Eagles’ balloon and popped it without mercy. Seriously, after a first quarter where it looked like both squads were feeling each other out, San Francisco flat-out opened the salvos and left Philadelphia’s beloved “birds” in tatters. From right around halfway through the second quarter, the 49ers scored a touchdown on six consecutive possessions. They outgained the Eagles by over 100 yards, gained over eight yards an offensive play, and were effectively perfect on third down.

The Eagles had their [expletive] handed to them. A security guard getting into it with linebacker Dre Greenlaw was probably the most fight anyone associated with Philadelphia showed all day. I legitimately can’t remember another ruthless road whooping of a Super Bowl contender like this.

Somewhere, Deebo Samuel is still sprinting through a shoddy Philly secondary:

By landing a knockout punch over the team that kept it from Super Bowl glory, the 49ers have morphed back into pro football’s preeminent villain. They made it clear that fateful January game last season really could’ve been different if Purdy had been available throughout. At the very least, they gave the Eagles a well-earned slice of humble pie.

I can only imagine how the 49ers will lord this one over the Eagles for two months — a.k.a. when these two teams inevitably meet again in the NFC title game. We deserve a Round 3 sequel to this NFL blood feud. And I think we’re gonna get it.

All bets are off in the sport’s best, tensest rivalry.

Elsewhere in Week 13, C.J. Stroud baited the Denver defense into a silly penalty, a certain Washington D.C. quarterback showed his passing yards are a little empty, and a first-round receiver dropped another brutal pass downfield. Let’s dive in.