49ers Offense vs Eagles Defense — Wild Card (Jan. 11, 2026)
The 49ers overcame injuries and late-game pressure, executing when it mattered most to eliminate the Eagles and prove they’re built for January football.
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| Christian McCaffrey scores the go-ahead touchdown against the Eagles in the Wild Card playoff to send the 49ers to the Divisional Round. |
🔦 Spotlight Breakdowns — 49ers Offense vs Eagles Defense
📊 49ers Offensive Snap Counts & PFF Grades
| Player | Pos | PFF Grade | Snaps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demarcus Robinson | WR | 89.5 | 40 |
| Kyle Juszczyk | FB | 81.0 | 28 |
| Jake Brendel | C | 70.0 | 59 |
| Colton McKivitz | RT | 69.2 | 59 |
| Trent Williams | LT | 65.9 | 59 |
| Brock Purdy | QB | — | 59 |
| Jauan Jennings | WR | — | 57 |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | — | 52 |
| Jake Tonges | TE | — | 43 |
| Kendrick Bourne | WR | — | 22 |
| Luke Farrell | TE | — | 19 |
| George Kittle | TE | — | 13 |
| Skyy Moore | WR | — | 10 |
| Brian Robinson Jr. | RB | — | 7 |
| Malik Turner | WR | — | 4 |
🎯 Brock Purdy — QB
Snaps: 100%
PFF: —
Purdy delivered a poised playoff performance, protecting the football and executing efficiently in the red zone. He finished with two touchdown passes and no interceptions, consistently taking what the Eagles’ coverage allowed.
Key Plays:
- 5-yard TD pass to George Kittle (2nd & Goal)
- 2-yard TD pass to Jake Tonges (3rd & Goal)
Philadelphia mixed zone and man looks, but Purdy stayed disciplined, avoided negative plays, and converted multiple third downs by working the middle of the field.
🔥 Christian McCaffrey — RB
Snaps: 88%
PFF: —
McCaffrey did not score, but his impact was structural. His presence forced linebacker hesitation, opened throwing lanes underneath, and dictated Eagles personnel usage.
Highlights:
- Key blitz pickup in the third quarter
- Multiple third-down receptions
- Consistent yardage on outside-zone runs
🧱 Jauan Jennings — WR
Snaps: 97%
PFF: —
Jennings functioned as a possession anchor. While not heavily targeted, his blocking and route discipline helped sustain long drives.
Highlights:
- Chain-moving reception on third down
- Strong perimeter blocking vs CB force defenders
🚀 Demarcus Robinson — WR
Snaps: 68%
PFF: 89.5
Robinson was the most efficient receiver on the field. His route precision and separation ability stressed Eagles coverage, especially on intermediate concepts.
Highlights:
- Explosive gains vs off-coverage
- Highest graded offensive player
🟥 George Kittle — TE (TD)
Snaps: Limited
PFF: —
Despite reduced usage, Kittle made his presence felt where it mattered most — in the red zone.
Key Play:
- 5-yard touchdown reception on 2nd & Goal
He also contributed as a blocker, sealing the edge on multiple runs.
🟥 Jake Tonges — TE (TD)
Snaps: Limited
PFF: —
Tonges capitalized on his opportunity with a physical touchdown catch, securing the ball through contact in tight quarters.
Key Play:
- 2-yard touchdown reception on 3rd & Goal
🛡️ Trent Williams — LT
Snaps: 100%
PFF: 65.9
Williams’ return stabilized the offensive line. His presence limited edge pressure and allowed the 49ers to call deeper-developing concepts with confidence.
Impact:
- Improved pocket integrity on Purdy’s TD throws
- Consistent edge control in the run game
📊 Eagles Defensive Snap Counts & PFF Grades
| Player | Pos | PFF Grade | Snaps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinyon Mitchell | CB | 93.1 | 59 |
| Nolan Smith | LB | 80.8 | 29 |
| Jordan Davis | DT | 76.3 | 29 |
| Cooper DeJean | DB | — | 59 |
| Zack Baun | LB | — | 59 |
| Nakobe Dean | LB | — | 59 |
| Reed Blankenship | S | — | 59 |
| Jalen Carter | DT | — | 58 |
| Marcus Epps | S | — | 58 |
| Jaelan Phillips | LB | — | 52 |
| Moro Ojomo | DT | — | 38 |
| Adoree’ Jackson | CB | — | 37 |
| Jalyx Hunt | LB | — | 28 |
| Byron Young | DT | — | 12 |
| Brandon Graham | DE | — | 7 |
| Michael Carter II | CB | — | 3 |
| Kelee Ringo | CB | — | 1 |
| Sydney Brown | S | — | 1 |
| Jihaad Campbell | LB | — | 1 |
🦅 Eagles Defense — What Worked, What Failed
🧠 Quinyon Mitchell — CB
Snaps: 100%
PFF: 93.1
Mitchell was the lone Eagles defender who consistently won his matchup. His two interceptions flipped field position and prevented multiple scoring opportunities. Without his plays, this game would not have reached the fourth quarter.
That said, even elite individual play couldn’t compensate for a defense that failed to close when San Francisco adjusted late.
🛡️ Jordan Davis — DT
Snaps: 49%
PFF: 76.3
Davis controlled early downs and helped limit interior rushing lanes, but his impact faded as the game tightened. Philadelphia needed interior disruption late — and didn’t get it.
💪 Nolan Smith — LB
Snaps: 49%
PFF: 80.8
Smith flashed explosiveness in limited snaps and played with strong edge discipline, but Philadelphia’s rotational approach never translated into late-game pressure. Efficiency without finishing doesn’t win elimination games.
📊 Eagles Defense — Reality Check
Philadelphia’s defense produced turnovers and avoided explosive breakdowns — but failed at the most important moment.
When the 49ers needed one drive to end the season, they got it cleanly, deliberately, and without resistance.
- No drive-killing pressure
- No red-zone stand
- No late adjustment
Playoff defenses are judged by endings.
The Eagles defense did not finish.
📊 49ers Offense — Execution When It Mattered
San Francisco didn’t overwhelm Philadelphia statistically. They overwhelmed them where playoff games are decided — late downs, red-zone execution, and closing drives.
Despite George Kittle’s injury and a shortened rotation, the 49ers offense delivered under maximum pressure.
🧠 Kyle Shanahan — Playoff Precision
This was not volume offense. It was sequencing, patience, and timing.
- Protection-first designs to neutralize late pressure
- Formations that dictated matchups instead of chasing them
- Aggression saved for must-have situations
Shanahan never panicked. When the game tightened, he attacked.
🟥 George Kittle’s Injury — And the Adjustment
Kittle’s reduced availability altered the plan, but San Francisco never stalled waiting for him.
- Condensed formations protected the edges
- Alternate tight ends filled defined roles
- Red-zone stress shifted away from Kittle-centric concepts
Limited or not, Kittle still delivered when called upon. The offense simply adapted.
🔥 The Inevitable Finish
When the season came down to one drive, the ball went exactly where everyone expected.
Christian McCaffrey delivered the winning touchdown — not because it was surprising, but because it was inevitable.
Philadelphia knew the matchup. They still couldn’t stop it.
🧪 Final Verdict
This wasn’t a perfect performance. It was a composed one.
Despite injuries and late pressure, the 49ers offense closed.
Kyle Shanahan called it.
Brock Purdy executed it.
Christian McCaffrey finished it.
That’s playoff football.
🏆 Kyle Shanahan — Built for January
This game mattered beyond the box score.
Shanahan’s teams are no longer judged by creativity alone — they’re judged by whether they finish.
Against Philadelphia, shorthanded and under pressure, San Francisco didn’t chase explosives or force identity shifts. They trusted their core.
- Run-game discipline
- Situational play-calling
- Trust in execution over unpredictability
That’s not just good coaching. That’s playoff maturity.
The 49ers didn’t survive this game. They controlled it — late.
🟥 George Kittle’s Injury — And the Adjustment
George Kittle’s injury altered the offensive plan. His snap count dropped, and San Francisco lost its most complete tight end in space and as a blocker.
Instead of forcing the issue, the 49ers adapted:
- Condensed formations to protect edges
- Used alternate tight ends in defined, high-leverage roles
- Shifted red-zone stress away from Kittle’s usual matchup dominance
Even limited, Kittle still delivered when called upon — including a crucial red-zone score — but the offense never stalled waiting for him.
🔥 The Inevitable Finisher
When the season came down to one drive, the ball went exactly where everyone in the stadium expected it to go.
Christian McCaffrey delivered the decisive touchdown — not because it was unpredictable, but because it was unstoppable.
Philadelphia knew the matchup. They knew the concept. They still couldn’t stop it.
🧱 Winning Short-Handed
This wasn’t the 49ers at full strength. This wasn’t a perfect offensive performance.
It was something more valuable in January:
- Discipline instead of desperation
- Execution instead of volume
- Trust in the core identity when everything tightened
San Francisco didn’t blink.
🧪 Final Verdict
Playoff games are decided by who can execute when the margin disappears.
Despite injuries, defensive adjustments, and late-game pressure, the 49ers offense closed.
With the game on the line, Kyle Shanahan called it.
Brock Purdy delivered it.
Christian McCaffrey finished it.
That’s how elimination games are won.
🏆 Why This 49ers Win Translates to the Super Bowl
Playoff wins that travel aren’t built on highlights. They’re built on repeatable traits.
This victory checked every box that survives opponent, venue, and moment.
- Late-game execution without panic
- Red-zone efficiency over yardage
- Offensive adaptability after in-game adversity
- Coaching restraint instead of desperation
The 49ers didn’t rely on trickery. They relied on structure.
That’s the kind of football that wins anywhere — including the Super Bowl.
📈 Closing Drives — When the Game Was Decided
| Drive | Situation | Result | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers — Late 4Q | One-score game | TD (McCaffrey) | Go-ahead score |
| Eagles — Final Possession | Must-score | Stopped | Season ends |
When elimination pressure peaked, San Francisco scored.
Philadelphia didn’t.
🦅 Eagles Defense — Final Assessment
Philadelphia’s defense played competitively — but playoff football isn’t about competitiveness.
It’s about finishing.
With the game on the line, the Eagles:
- Allowed a go-ahead touchdown
- Failed to win key matchups in the red zone
- Did not generate a decisive stop when required
Coverage held early. Pressure flashed at times.
But when the season depended on one stop, the defense couldn’t deliver it.
That’s the difference between advancing — and going home.
🟥 49ers Offense — Built for Elimination Games
This wasn’t a healthy offense. It wasn’t a perfect one.
It was a prepared one.
Despite George Kittle’s injury and a shrinking margin for error, San Francisco executed with clarity when chaos was expected.
- Protection schemes held under pressure
- Personnel usage adjusted without disruption
- Primary weapons delivered in decisive moments
Everyone in the stadium knew where the ball was going.
It still got there.
That’s not predictability. That’s trust.
✍️ Editor’s Note
Playoff football doesn’t reward volume. It rewards clarity.
This game wasn’t about who looked better for three quarters. It was about who delivered when elimination arrived.
That was San Francisco.
🧪 Final Verdict
The 49ers didn’t escape this game.
They closed it.
Injuries tested them. Pressure tested them. The moment tested them.
They passed.
That’s what championship teams do.
San Francisco’s late-game execution, Kyle Shanahan’s sequencing, and Brock Purdy’s composure under pressure defined a playoff win built for January football.
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