San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Who you got? Predictions afoot
Chronicle writers offer their takes on 49ers’ fate
Before the San Francisco 49ers take the field in Philadelphia to face the Eagles with the NFC Championship at stake, we asked columnists Ann Killion, Michael Silver and Scott Ostler, 49ers beat writer Eric Branch, and reporter Ron Kroichick to make their predictions about the outcome. Will the Niners earn a trip to the Super Bowl LVII with a shot at their first NFL title since the 1994 season, or go only as far as last year’s team?
Ann Killion: Eagles 21, 49ers 18.
In theory the Eagles have everything going for them, hence this prediction, which is purely theoretical. Jalen Hurts, their MVP candidate quarterback, is healthy, their defense is monstrous, they earned homefield advantage and it’s a wild, raucous advantage. If not for the 49ers’ struggles in winnable games early in the season, this game would be played at Levi’s. I foresee a tight game with the Eagles squeaking out a win in the end. But 49ers fans should take heart: My predictions are almost always wrong.
Michael Silver: 49ers 23, Eagles 21.
This shapes up as a very even game between the NFC’s two best teams. It will come down to big plays and little things; there will be crucial calls (and noncalls) that people talk about for days.
Each team has some clear advantages. The Eagles had 70 sacks in the regular season and their fearsome front should make the Cowboys’ menacing pass rush from a week ago look like a warm-up act — meaning Brock Purdy needs to go easy on the spin moves and get the ball out quickly. The Niners have better coaches, though when it comes to getting in character and endearing himself to the fan base, Nick Sirianni is peerless.
Most of all, this game will come down to will — and that’s something the Niners have in abundance. They played three very tight playoff games a year ago, and pulled out another against the Cowboys last Sunday. They are built to stay resilient in such moments. We’ll see if it’s enough to beat a really, really formidable opponent.
Scott Ostler: 49ers 33, Eagles 20.
America’s will be done. I like to think that in big games like this, the football world gets a cosmic vote, and everyone wants to see Purdy in the Super Bowl. Against a healthy Patrick Mahomes. Magic vs. Magic. That’s also a good way to bet, I’m betting.
Purdy has fully phased from “surprisingly good player waiting for his first lousy game” to “really legit quarterback with ice water in his veins.” What about the Eagles’ bulldozers-on-steroids pass rush? It’s real, but I sense that head coach Kyle Shanahan has the counterpunch ready. My crystal ball shows a big play in the second quarter by Kyle Juszczyk.
Eric Branch: Eagles 23, 49ers 16.
Nick Bosa acknowledged this week that mobile QBs can be the “kryptonite” of the NFL’s topranked defense and the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts is well-suited to use the 49ers’ aggressiveness against them. Purdy won’t crumble on the big stage, but the Cowboys’ ferocious front made him look mortal at Levi’s. And another just-OK performance seems likely in a hostile environment against an even more hellacious defensive line. The 49ers figure to lean on their running game against Philadelphia’s only obvious semi-weakness, but their three top rushers, Christian McCaffrey (calf ), Elijah Mitchell (groin) and Deebo Samuel (ankle) are all at least mildly banged up.
What gives me pause about the pick? The 49ers, in their ninth playoff game since January 2020, are battle-tested, tough and resilient. That’s hard to quantify, but it could help erase their disadvantages with a Super Bowl trip on the line.
Ron Kroichick: 49ers 16, Eagles 13.
Philadelphia’s defensive front will present problems for the 49ers, but they will find a way to scratch out enough points (see their win over Dallas). Shanahan’s creativity, his deep well of offensive playmakers, the reliable right leg of Robbie Gould and a tenacious, determined defense will send the 49ers back to the Super Bowl. Barely.