Christian McCaffrey key in NFC Championship vs. Eagles
Five 49ers to watch: CMC’s production could be key to NFC title initially appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SANTA CLARA — Because the 2022 NFL season has worn on, this matchup appeared inevitable.
And right here it’s: The 49ers face the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday within the NFC Championship Recreation.
The Eagles haven’t confronted a workforce pretty much as good because the 49ers shortly.
And the identical could be stated for the 49ers, who take a 12-game win streak into Philadelphia’s Lincoln Monetary Area.
“Anytime you play a workforce with good gamers in a great scheme and whenever you play sound defenses, there’s not lots of holes schematically,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan stated. “You attempt to put guys in place to beat their gamers they usually bought fairly good gamers, too.”
Whereas there are usually not many matchups for both aspect to take advantage of, listed here are 5 gamers who will likely be key to the 49ers’ possibilities at leaving city with a victory and a berth in Tremendous Bowl LVII:
Rookie quarterback Brock Purdy has been regular since taking up for injured Jimmy Garoppolo on Dec. 4.
He has thrown simply three interceptions in eight video games with no fumbles. His means to maintain the soccer is a giant cause the 49ers haven’t misplaced with Purdy behind middle.
The 49ers is not going to put quite a bit on his plate, so far as making issues occur. Purdy will likely be schooled-up and should make the performs that current themselves to get the ball into the fingers of the playmakers.
Purdy might need some alternatives to maintain performs alive after the first wave of pressure in going up towards the Eagles’ move rush.
The Eagles have an offensive line that typically is taken into account the very best in soccer.
Bosa registered an NFL-best 18.5 sacks throughout the common season, and can determine which offensive sort out offers him the very best matchup amongst left sort out Jordan Mailata and proper sort out Lane Johnson.
That is the sport wherein Bosa should be a harmful drive as a result of it will likely be troublesome on the 49ers’ different move rushers to win their battles.
Bosa, the favourite for NFL Defensive Participant of the Yr, can single-handedly give the 49ers’ line of defense the sting on this epic matchup if he can present regular strain on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.
The 49ers don’t worry a lot about All-Professional left sort out Trent Williams. However proper sort out Mike McGlinchey will likely be beneath the microscope towards Philadelphia’s deep and talented group of move rushers.
McGlinchey is at his finest as a run-blocker, and that’s the reason it is necessary for the 49ers to expertise success on the bottom.
If McGlinchey is ready to fireplace out and have success within the run sport, it’ll decelerate the sting rusher towards whom he matches up when the 49ers throw the ball.
The 49ers have to keep away from third-and-long conditions, or McGlinchey can have his fingers full conserving Purdy well-protected towards a workforce that rolled up 70 quarterback sacks throughout the common season.
All-Professional linebacker Fred Warner does a little bit of everything for the 49ers’ protection.
He’ll discover himself in protection down the center of the sphere, as he did towards Dallas Cowboys vast receiver CeeDee Lamb final week. Warner assaults the road of scrimmage within the run sport. He’ll discover himself in protection towards backs and tight ends.
However this week there may be one other a part of his well-rounded sport that will likely be examined, too.
Hurts rushed for 760 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season.
Whether or not it’s the quarterback-driven run sport or when move performs break down and Hurts escapes the pocket, Warner will likely be examined to verify these don’t flip into massive performs for the Eagles’ offense.
Working again Christian McCaffrey returned to observe Friday after lacking two days with a calf contusion. He said there is “zero” chance he doesn’t play Sunday.
The 49ers haven’t misplaced since McCaffrey entered the beginning lineup in Week 8 towards the Los Angeles Rams.
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And he figures to be a key issue towards the Eagles, as Shanahan tries to search out the matchup for the 49ers to take advantage of on important downs.
The 49ers could make massive performs at vital instances if they’ll discover methods to get McCaffrey matched up towards both of the Eagles’ linebackers, T.J. Edwards or Kyzir White.
McCaffrey’s manufacturing might be the important thing issue — each within the operating sport and as a prime goal for Purdy on third downs.
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