Eagles vs.49ers analysis: Jalen Hurts returns after scare, security officer ejected in loss

PHILADELPHIA − It sure seemed like it was going to be a repeat of the NFC Championship game, at least through the first quarter.

The Eagles were in on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy on every play. They sacked him once, deflected one of his passes and almost had a few more.

After the first quarter, the Eagles had 124 yards, the 49ers minus-6. Jalen Hurts had 120 yards passing, Purdy 0.

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The 49ers didn't get their first positive play from scrimmage until early in the second quarter.

49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel was looking foolish after claiming ever since last season's NFC Championship game that had Purdy not been injured, the outcome would be different.

And then, everything fell apart as Samuel had 3 touchdowns − a 12-yard run and receptions of 46 and 48 yards − sending the Eagles to a 42-19 loss Sunday.

Hurts missed his first five snaps of the season with a concussion, and Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro was ejected along with 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw after a shoving incident in the third quarter.

And then the 49ers had their first sustained drive, and their first lead midway through the second quarter on Purdy's 2-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Aiyuk.

The 49ers added another touchdown on Christian McCaffrey's 2-yard touchdown run with 38 seconds left in the first half, putting the Eagles behind 14-6.

After a dominant first quarter, the Eagles were outgained 173-21 in the second quarter. Hurts had just 23 yards passing in the second quarter and was 13-for-22 for 143 yards. He led the Eagles with 11 yards rushing.

Jalen Hurts evaluated for concussion, returns after Mariota converts tush push

As if things couldn't get worse for the Eagles, quarterback Jalen Hurts ran off into the locker room to start the fourth quarter after spending time in the medical tent.

The Eagles announced that Hurts was being evaluated for a concussion. Marcus Mariota played his first snaps as an Eagle, including a fourth down "tush push" for a first down. That's when Hurts returned. Mariota went 2-for-3 for 16 yards.

Eagles security guard gets in shoving match with 49ers LB

Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro was involved in a shoving match with 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and both DiSandro and Greenlaw was ejected.

Jalen Hurts completed a short pass to DeVonta Smith on 2nd-and-5 from the 49ers' 37. Greenlaw stopped Smith by the sideline, then threw him to the ground, drawing a flag from the official. DiSandro then got up in Greenlaw's face and the two shoved each other.

The Eagles got the ball at the 49ers' 12.

After a 3rd-and-11 completion from Hurts to A.J. Brown, the Eagles then tried 2 straight "tush pushes" scoring on the second one. That cut the deficit to 21-13 with 6:51 left in the third quarter.

But the Eagles couldn't hold the 49ers as they scored on a fourth straight drive, this time on Deebo Samuel's 48-yard touchdown reception for a 28-13 lead.

Eagles fall behind by most points this season

The second half didn't start off any better as the 49ers took the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards for another touchdown, taking a 21-6 lead with 11:41 left in the third quarter.

Deebo Samuel scored on an end-around from 12 yards out for the TD.

It's the biggest deficit for the Eagles this season.

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49ers take lead despite Eagles' dominance on D

The 49ers got their first first down early in the quarter, then methodically continued down the field. Purdy's dumpoff to tight end Greg Kittle went for 33 yards down to the Eagles' 10. Facing a 3rd-and-goal from the 4, Purdy threw incomplete into the end zone.

But Josh Sweat was called for defensive offsides and the 49ers got another chance. This time, Purdy capitalized on a 2-yard TD to Brandon Aiyuk with 7:10 left, giving the 49ers a 7-6 lead.

Philadelphia Eagles’ defense strong in first quarter

The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense showed the same tenacity in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers as it did in last season’s NFC Championship Game.

Philadelphia limited the 49ers’ offense to -6 yards in the first quarter as the offense jumped out to a 6-0 lead.

Philadelphia has outgained the Eagles 124- -6 after one quarter with two drives of 12 and 13 plays.

Eagles get 1st down and points on opening drive, then harass Brock Purdy

It seemed like the Eagles would go 3-and-out on their opening drive for the fourth straight game as they faced a 3rd-and-9 from their 26. That's when Jalen Hurts hit AJ Brown on a slant that went for 38 yards down to the 49ers' 36.

The drive stalled at the San Francisco 8, and the Eagles settled for a field goal.

Then the Eagles defensive line went after 49ers QB Brock Purdy. Jordan Davis almost sacked him on first down before Haason Reddick got him on second. The 49ers punted.

It was 6-0 after another Jake Elliott field goal, this time from 39 yards out with 2:01 left in the first quarter.

Eagles inactives: Dallas Goedert out, the need for Shaq Leonard

Tight end Dallas Goedert is not returning Sunday from a broken forearm suffered on Nov. 5, but defensive tackle Fletcher Cox is playing despite not practicing all week with a groin injury.

In addition, the Eagles will be short-handed at linebacker as Zach Cunningham (hamstring) is out. That means Christian Elliss is starting next to Nicholas Morrow, with Ben VanSumeren, who has never played a snap on defense, as the backup.

Elliss made a play early, however, tackling Deebo Samuel for a 4-yard loss on a jet sweep in the firs quarter.

The Eagles, of course, are waiting on former Colts linebacker Shaq Leonard to make his decision. The NFL Network reported that could come by Tuesday. Leonard visited the Eagles and the Cowboys last week, and is expected to decide between the two teams who play each other next Sunday.

The Eagles other inactives are QB Tanner McKee, RB Rashaad Penny and G Sua Opeta.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants to stop Eagles’ 'Brotherly Shove'

Call it the “Brotherly Shove” or the “Tush Push." Either way the Eagles’ almost unstoppable short-yardage play may become illegal.

According to a story by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, league sources are considering a rules change to make the play illegal.

In short-yardage situations, the Eagles line up in a goal-line stand formation with players on either side of quarterback Jalen Hurts. When the ball is snapped, the offensive line pushes forward, Hurts churns forward and the two players beside Hurts push the pile forward.

The play is nearly unstoppable when the Eagles run it. Other teams have tried to duplicate it, but none have had the Eagles’ success.

"It’s apparent this is going to be heavily debated among the competition committee made up of owners, general managers and coaches," Russini wrote. "It’s important to note that there isn’t a single person from the Eagles organization on the competition committee. However, three of their divisional opponents are represented: New York Giants owner John Mara, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones and Washington head coach Ron Rivera.

"Though it will all come down to the voting, the most important opinion about the play may come from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. I was told by a league source that Goodell wants to see this play removed from the game permanently."

James Bradberry responds to 49ers WR calling him 'trash'

There's a good chance 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel will get his wish and line up against Eagles cornerback James Bradberry, whom Samuel called "trash" during the offseason. Samuel then doubled down on his talk this week ahead of the NFC championship game rematch this Sunday.

Bradberry, like his teammates, refused to engage in responding.

"Of course, I don’t necessarily like what he said," Bradberry said. "I wish he would’ve used a better word to describe my play, but it is what it is. At the end of the day, all I can control is my work ethic and what I do out there."

Don't count on a Zach Ertz reunion

It would make for a storybook ending for Zach Ertz to return to the Eagles, the team he always wanted to spend his entire career with, now that he was released by the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday.

After all, Ertz was one of the best tight ends in the NFL from his eight-plus seasons in Philadelphia. And he is just 11 receptions short of the franchise record for receptions set by Hall of Fame wide receiver Harold Carmichael.

But those storybook endings don't always come to fruition. Ertz, 33, is not that player anymore. He has 27 receptions for 187 yards in seven games this season for the Cardinals. He would have a reduced role with the Eagles, as opposed to a bigger role if he went to a contending team like a Ravens.

What's the playoff impact of 49ers-Eagles

The Eagles (10-1) have a two-game lead over both the 49ers and Lions (both 8-3). A win over the 49ers on Sunday would give the Eagles the tiebreaker, or essentially a four-game lead with five games remaining.

The Eagles would still have a one-game lead over the 49ers with a loss. But the 49ers would hold the tiebreaker should the Eagles lose another game and the 49ers win out.

Can the Eagles clinch a playoff berth?

It's possible that the Eagles can clinch a playoff spot this Sunday. But they will need help.

In order for the Eagles to clinch, they would need a win and a Rams loss. Or the the Rams win, the Eagles would need a win and losses by both Detroit and Green Bay. They can also clinch with a tie and help from other teams.

A win over the 49ers would also put the Eagles in the driver's seat for the No. 1 overall seed, and thus home-field advantage until the Super Bowl. The Eagles would have a three-game lead with five games remaining, plus the tiebreaker advantage.

How weather will impact 49ers vs Eagles?

The Eagles could be playing their third straight game in rainy weather. But a steady rain in the morning is expected to diminish to a 33% chance of showers at game time with the temperature around 50 degrees. The rain chance should diminish further as the game goes on.

What are the odds for the 49ers vs. Eagles game?

The betting line is the 49ers are favored by 3 points. The over-under is 48. The money line is -157 for the 49es and +133 for the Eagles.

What time is the 49ers vs. Eagles game?

• Date: Sunday, Dec. 3

• Time: 4:25 p.m.

• Place: Lincoln Financial Field

How to watch, stream, listen to 49ers vs. Eagles

Cable/Network TV

The game will be available locally on FOX 29 Philadelphia.

Streaming

You can also stream games if you have subscriptions to NFL+, NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube Primetime, YouTube TV, fuboTV.  Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV.

Radio

You can listen to the Eagles Sirius XM satellite radio on Sirius channel 82 and XM channel 228 (Eagles feed). The Eagles Radio Network has stations across the region. Merrill Reese has the play-by-play and Mike Quick the analyst.

• Wilmington — WDEL/101.7 FM and 1150 AM

• Levittown — WBCB/1490 AM

• Philadelphia — WIP/94.1 FM

• Atlantic City — WENJ/97.3 FM

• Salisbury/Ocean City — WAFL/97.7FM

Who is announcing the 49ers vs. Eagles game?

• Play-by-play: Kevin Burkhardt

• Analyst: Greg Olsen

• Sideline reporter: Erin Andrews

49er vs. Eagles prediction

Martin Frank pick: 49ers WR Deebo Samuel called Eagles CB James Bradberry "trash," said the outcome "definitely would've been different" if Purdy had played the entire NFC Championship game last January. That Purdy couldn't is precisely why the Eagles will win this game too. The Eagles' defensive line will harass Purdy again (hopefully not injury-wise), and Bradberry will have the last laugh.

The Pick: Eagles 30, 49ers 26.

2023 Philadelphia Eagles schedule

• Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023: Eagles 25, Patriots 20

• Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023: Eagles 34, Vikings 28

• Monday, Sept. 25, 2023: Eagles 25, Buccaneers 11

• Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023: Eagles 34, Commanders 31 (OT)

• Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023: Eagles 23, Rams 14

• Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023: Jets 20, Eagles 14

• Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023: Eagles 31, Dolphins 17

• Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023: Eagles 38, Commanders 31

• Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023: Eagles 28, Cowboys 23

• Monday, Nov. 20, 2023: Eagles 21, Chiefs 17

• Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023: Eagles 37, Bills 34 (OT)

• Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023: vs. San Francisco, 4:25 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023: at Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023: at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.

• Monday, Dec. 25, 2023: at New York Giants, 4:30 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023: at Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.

• Saturday, Jan. 6 or Sunday, Jan. 7: at New York Giants, TBD

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles-49ers score: Live analysis in NFC title game rematch