This is a game that many have circled since the NFL schedule was released in the spring: A rematch of the 2022 NFC Championship Game between two teams having outstanding 2023 seasons vying for the top seed in the conference playoffs.
But then again, haven’t we been saying that for weeks? And a week from Sunday, when the Eagles play in Arlington, Texas against the Cowboys, won’t that be the narrative for another nationally televised game?
That’s exactly why the Eagles are taking this, as they do every week, as “another game on the schedule.” You hear it from one end of the locker room to the other.
What this game does have is many great storylines and intriguing matchups, so let’s get right into it as kickoff (Sunday, 4:25 PM, FOX) nears at Lincoln Financial Field …
1. How can the Eagles contain Christian McCaffrey?
Christian McCaffrey leads the NFL in rushing and is second in total yards from scrimmage and there is no doubt that San Franciso’s offensive approach goes through his multiple skills. He runs extremely hard, has speed, can catch the football in space and make defenders miss, and he’s capable of lining up anywhere in the formation. San Francisco is going to give CMC a lot of touches. So, the Eagles have to rally to the football to contain him, because stopping him is so difficult to do. This is a physical challenge for a defense that likely won’t be at full strength and it’s a matchup challenge with so many other weapons to consider in the 49ers’ offense.
2. Offense looks to pick up where it left off last week
Perhaps lost in the slow start for the Eagles’ offense last week was the way it finished: touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, punt, field goal, touchdown. That’s impressive. Quarterback Jalen Hurts accounted for a career-high five touchdowns as the Eagles, again without tight end Dallas Goedert, roared to life.
How about on Sunday against a defense allowing just 15 points per game this season? What do the Eagles do to continue the momentum they had in the second half and in overtime a week earlier? Goedert practiced in a limited capacity on Friday, but is listed as doubtful. His presence would be a huge boost in terms of matching up against great linebackers who can run. Hurts understands just how good San Francisco is defensively, so how can he unlock the passing game and get A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith going? D’Andre Swift is fourth in the league with 760 rushing…
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