'Less Dysfunction,' NFL Exec Picks 49ers Over Eagles, Doubts Philly Can Score Points

Ahead of the first playoff meeting between the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles since the 2022 NFC Championship Game, at least one executive within the NFL thinks the Niners can pull off the road upset.

Speaking to The Athletic's Mike Sando, the executive explained that they are picking the 49ers because there is "less dysfunction" with them and questioned the Eagles' ability to score points:

"I like the 49ers. There's less dysfunction going on, you know? I don't expect Philly to magically turn it on. And as good as (Vic) Fangio and their defense is, I feel like what happened to the 49ers against Seattle was an aberration. Philly's gonna have to score points, and I'm not sure they'll be able to do that."

The Eagles had a season that bore some resemblance to their 2023 collapse. There were questions during the year about A.J. Brown and his relationship with Jalen Hurts, along with why the offense wasn't playing up to its expected standards given how talented the offensive line is and all the skill-position players they have.

Things don't seem nearly as bad now as they did two years ago. The Eagles still have a dominant defense that allowed fewer than 20 points in five of their last nine games. They won the NFC East and get a home game, instead of having to go on the road like they did in a 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023.

It's also hard to imagine a scenario where the Eagles, for as inconsistent as their offense has been, struggle to score points against this version of San Francisco's defense.

The 49ers have the ninth-worst defense overall and 13th-worst run defense by DVOA. Opposing teams have run for at least 130 yards against them in three of their last five games, including 180 by the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18.

San Francisco's ability to put up points against this Eagles defense could depend on who is available to play.

Trent Williams and Ricky Pearsall sat out Saturday's loss to the Seahawks, though head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated afterward that both players would have had a "much better chance" to play if the game had been on Sunday.

Austen Pleasants, who was filling in for Williams at left tackle, allowed three pressures against the Seahawks. It was also his first career start in the NFL after going undrafted in 2020.

This is a fascinating matchup because something has to give when you put the Eagles offense against San Francisco's defense. It will also be a fascinating chess match on the other side of the ball with Shanahan trying to figure out Vic Fangio's defense.

The last time these teams met in the playoffs was the NFC Championship Game when Brock Purdy injured his elbow on San Francisco's sixth offensive play. Backup Josh Johnson suffered a concussion in the third quarter, forcing Purdy back into the game when he couldn't properly grip the ball.

Philadelphia won that game 31-7 to advance to the Super Bowl. The two teams will square off at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET.