5 Stats that will decide the Eagles versus 49ers NFC Championship Game

1. The 49ers are at the top of the NFL in rushing defense but 21st versus the pass. 

Here’s the textbook definition of a strength versus strength matchup. The toughest defense to run on in the NFL travels to face the best and most diverse rushing attack they’ve met all season.

The Eagles scored a league-best 32 TDs on the ground, but they’ll have opportunities to torch San Francisco through the air as well. The Niners ranked among the bottom half of NFL teams as they have given up 3,789 yards through the sir. Only 11 teams were worse. Surprisingly however five of those teams earned postseason berths. Go figure!

2. The 49ers gave up 267 yards rushing and 2 TDs to the Bears and Falcons and figure to surrender a huge game to Jalen Hurts.

To find instances in which the 49ers played teams with similar rushing attacks to Philadelphia (a committee of running backs and a QB who can also take off), you have to look back to the first half of the NFL season. Versus the Chicago Bears, the Niners were forced to deal with Justin Fields, Khalil Herbert, and David Montgomery in the rain. 99 rushing yards were the result of Chicago’s efforts.

In perfect conditions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Falcons had a field day of their own versus San Fran despite being without their best offensive weapon, Cordarrelle Patterson. Caleb Huntley, Tyler Allgeier, and Marcus Mariota combined for 160 yards rushing and Mariota’s trip to the end zone. They got eight bonus yards from Avery Williams and Keith Smith.

Now, the Niners are a much better team than they were then (and they were missing Nick Bosa versus the Flacons), but the point is this. Teams with dual-threat quarterbacks give San Francisco the most trouble, and if you haven’t noticed, Philly is home to the game’s best, Jalen Hurts.

Behind the best offensive line in football, Philly should be able to give the Niners some fits.