As the San Francisco 49ers gear up to visit the Linc in NFC Wild Card action, their injury report on the defensive side of the ball reads longer than a CVS receipt.
And while 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has worked wonders with this injury-riddled unit, brilliant coaching can only help uplift a beleaguered group for so long.
At a certain point, the dam is bound to break.
San Francisco’s once stout front seven has been battered by injuries all season long, presenting a prime opportunity for the Eagles to establish the run game early, control time of possession, and keep weapons, including Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and company, relegated to the sidelines.
Seattle provided the blueprint for success
Playing this past weekend with the top seed hanging in the balance, Saleh’s squad got gashed in the ground game. Seattle’s backfield tandem of Kenneth Walker (6.1 yards per carry) and Zach Charbonet (4.4 yards per carry) combined for 33 carries and 171 yards in the Seahawks' 13-3 win.
Furthermore, Seattle dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 37 minutes, 48 seconds, compared to San Francisco's measly 22:12. Limited offensive opportunities left San Francisco languishing down the stretch, and a swarming Seattle defense looks a heck of a lot like the defensive unit playing lights out for Vic Fangio in Philadelphia.
With a front seven this banged up, blood is in the water
The front seven set to square off against this Eagles offense resembles a mash unit. Standout linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) - their unquestioned leader on defense – is still unable to suit up.
Meanwhile, perennial Pro Bowl defensive end Nick Bosa (knee-IR) is already out for the season, and fellow pass rusher Mykel Williams, the promising rookie first-rounder out of Georgia, is also shelved with a season-ending knee injury.
Additionally, two more starting linebackers succumbed to injury in the 13-3 defeat to Seattle.
Upstart rookie Tatum Bethune suffered a groin injury late in the contest and has been declared out for the season, while fellow starting linebacker Dee Winters exited due to an ankle injury as well. With the status of Winters for Sunday’s showdown at The Linc unknown, the visitors could be down three starting linebackers and their top two defensive ends - five of their original front seven in total.
Clear advantage on the ground for Philadelphia
Tank Bigsby impressed against Washington (16 carries, 75 yards, one touchdown), while Saquon Barkley has once again looked spry down the stretch run. Finally unleashing this powerful one-two punch could leave the visitors down for the count.
Will much-maligned offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo opt to throw some more on third-and-short, sending the Philly faithful into yet another frenzy? Or will he attack this razor-thin visiting defense in the trenches?
Either way, all signs point to a vulnerable 49ers' front seven leaving the door wide open for the defending champions to emerge from wild card weekend with a resounding rumble on the ground.
Read more: Eagles fans just got what the doctor ordered with two imperative injury updates
The time to get cute with playcalling is certainly not now. Run the rock and control the clock. Lean on this dominant defense for stops and advance one step closer to the big dance.