Eagles Week 12 win leaves 49ers on outside looking in for NFC supremacy

Nov 27, 2023, 12:45 PM | Updated: 1:38 pm

Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs up field during an NFC Championship game ag...

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San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

While the NFC playoff picture has opened up for the 49ers over the last few weeks, the Eagles shut the door on Week 13 being winner-takes-all.

The Philadelphia Eagles overcame a 10-point deficit in Week 12 to beat the Buffalo Bills, 38-34. After kicker Jake Elliott hit a 59-yard field goal to force overtime Sunday, the Eagles went on to score an touchdown on their opening drive to win the contest. That was made possible after Bills quarterback Josh Allen misfired to wideout Gabe Davis for a TD, forcing Buffalo to take three points.

Philadelphia now heads into Week 13 as the top dog, No. 1 in the NFC with a 10-1 record. Additionally, Week 12’s win puts the Eagles two games up on the 49ers in the conference, making their upcoming clash slightly less significant.

NFC Playoff standings as of today

🧵 We look ahead to the projected matchups pic.twitter.com/VdK8LF3rPY

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The San Francisco 49ers are now 8-3, coming off a dominant 31-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Thanksgiving. Now on a three-game win streak, the Red & Gold head to Philly for Week 13 after an extra three days of rest.

But while the home team (Eagles) are atop the NFC, the 49ers are 2.5-point favorites on the road. That may stem from the fact that San Francisco has had more convincing wins in the last few weeks, with a combined score of 92-30.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia has won most of its contests by one score or less. And with key injuries to right tackle Lane Johnson and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox lingering, Week 13 could be ripe for the 49ers’ taking this weekend.

The 49ers and Eagles last met in the NFC Championship game last season, the contest where QB Brock Purdy infamously tore his UCL in his throwing arm in the first quarter. The game ended 31-7, with San Francisco unable to generate much offense with Josh Johnson under center.

Because of that, 49ers fans feel that this time around will be different, while the Eagles remain as confident as ever.

“It was a lot of boo hoos last year, a lot of crying, a lot of what if, a lot of this, a lot of that. They get a chance to come back in here, line that s**t up and prove it again,” Eagles pass rusher Haason Reddick said recently.

The 49ers and Eagles will lace them up Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, with the game starting at 1:25 pm Pacific time.