49ers vs. Eagles: Final Odds, Spread Picks for NFC Championship Game 2023
After a week of build-up, excitement and preparation, the NFC Championship Game is finally here. On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles will host the San Francisco 49ers, with a trip to Super Bowl LVII on the line.
Philadelphia has remained the favorite throughout the week, which isn't a total shock. The Eagles had the conference's best record, have a roster short on weaknesses and should have quarterback Jalen Hurts (shoulder) at least close to 100 percent.
San Francisco, however, has the pieces to push Philadelphia to the absolute limit. With the league's best defense, an innovative head coach in Kyle Shanahan and a steady rookie quarterback in Brock Purdy, the 49ers are can make a push to the big game.
Here, you'll find all the information you need for what should be one of the best games of the 2022-23 NFL season—including updated odds, pregame buzz and some predictions.
Game Info and Sunday Odds
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Date: Sunday, January 29
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV and Live Stream: Fox, Fox Sports App
Moneyline: Eagles -150 (bet $150 to win $100), 49ers +130 (bet $100 to win $130)
Line: Eagles - 2.5
Over/Under: 46
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Latest Buzz
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In many aspects, the 49ers and Eagles are even. While San Francisco features the league's top-ranked defense in yards allowed, Philadelphia is No. 2. Both teams have a collection of savvy skill players—including A.J. Brown, Deebo Samuel, Devonta Smith, Brandon Aiyuk, Miles Sanders and Christian McCaffrey.
The Eagles have an edge at quarterback, where Hurts is an elite dual-threat when healthy. Purdy hasn't been a liability, though, and is a tremendous fit for Shanahan's offense.
Plenty will be decided by the coaching battle between Shanahan and Nick Sirianni. Injuries will likely also play a factor. Plenty of eyes will be on Hurts' shoulder, though he appeared to be healthy while blowing out the New York Giants last week and has produced positive reports from practice.
The 49ers have players like left tackle Trent Williams and running back Christian McCaffrey on their injury report, though it would be a shock if San Francisco's stars didn't suit up for this one.
The only player officially ruled out for San Francisco is quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, whose Week 13 foot injury paved the way for Purdy to become a breakout star. Both squads should be close to full strength to open the game, though it will be worth watching to see how key players like Hurts and McCaffrey hold up.
Prediction
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If either Hurts or McCaffrey finds himself well below 100 percent in this game, the Eagles or 49ers will find themselves at a big disadvantage.
For Philadelphia, the key to offensive success resides in Hurts' passing ability. The Eagles tend to lean on a run-first offense, but San Francisco's strength is against the ground game. The 49ers finished the regular season ranked second in both rushing yards allowed and yards per carry (3.4) surrendered.
Conversely, San Francisco's pass defense ranked a more modest 20th in yards allowed.
This does not mean that Sirianni and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen will eliminate designed quarterback runs from the playbook. They will at least try to keep the 49ers defense off-balance. However, the Eagles will need to move the ball through the air to put points on the board.
Meanwhile, McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell (questionable, groin) and runner/receiver Deebo Samuel will be integral to San Francisco's approach. Purdy is still an inexperienced rookie, and he'll face a dynamic Eagles pass rush that amassed 70 sacks in the regular season.
Quick passes and a heavy dose of the run game should be the 49ers' plan of attack.
"They fly to the ball well. They have a good pass rush," McCaffrey said, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. "For us, it's about executing the play call, though. Kyle knows all that stuff, and he knows exactly where he wants to go with the ball."
That's easier in theory than in practice, but the Eagles have been susceptible to the ground game at times—they ranked 24th in yards per carry allowed (4.6) during the regular season.
Shanahan is a master at using spacing to get receivers open early and create running lanes. That will be the difference in a hard-fought defensive battle between two championship-caliber teams.
Prediction: 49ers 22, Eagles 20
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