Published Jan 8, 9:54pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jan 8, 9:54pm ET
Grok AI
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| Philadelphia Eagles | -5 (-110) |
| San Francisco 49ers | +5 (-110) |
To show the fickleness of the fans and media, the 49ers were being celebrated as the most dangerous team in the NFL playoffs. They had overcome the litany of injuries to QB Brock Purdy, defensive lineman Nick Bosa, linebacker Fred Warner, tight end George Kittle, and tackle Trent Williams, among others, to be on the verge of getting the #1 seed in the conference and a great shot at Super Bowl LX.
But after winning 6 straight, their 13-3 loss to the Seahawks in Week 18 took all that away. It relegates them to the #6 seed in the conference and sends them to Philadelphia to play the defending Super Bowl champs, who have problems of their own.
If any team in the entire NFL playoffs could have used the week off and home-field advantage, it was the veteran 'Niners.
But this is the hand they've been dealt.
When they're operating on all cylinders, San Francisco is almost impossible to stop, even with the injuries. Purdy missed half the season with a toe injury. But he still threw for more than 2,100 yards, 20 TDs, and only 10 picks. He's ready for Philly.
#49ers Brock Purdy on his role to help get the mood going in a positive direction after losing losing to Seattle and preparing for Philly:
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) January 8, 2026
"Yeah, it sucks not capitalizing on what was a really good opportunity. But we gotta flip the page pretty quickly... It's the playoffs,… pic.twitter.com/Z42fp7Jqm6
Christian McCaffrey amassed more than 2,100 total yards and scored 17 TDs.
Still, they are compromised. Williams missed the Seattle game with a hamstring injury and is questionable for the Eagles. Linebacker Tatum Bethune suffered a groin injury against Seattle and is out for the season.
Warner is pushing his rehab from a dislocated and broken ankle, hoping to return during the playoffs.
San Francisco finished 5th in the NFL in passing yards per game thanks to Purdy and his capable backup Mac Jones, who helped keep the team afloat early in the season. They are 24th in rushing yards per game, but that is due more to their short passing game being a crucial part of their offense and not because they are ineffective on the ground.
They were 26th in the league in takeaway differential, which could be problematic against Philly's opportunistic defense. On defense, the 'Niners are vulnerable to the pass, but handle the rush well enough, 11th in the NFL in defensive rushing yards per game.
ALSO SEE: Rams vs Panthers | Wild Card Odds & NFL Pick (Jan 11)
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Trent Williams, T | INJURED |
| George Kittle, TE | INJURED |
| Fred Warner, LB | INJURED |
| Ricky Pearsall, WR | INJURED |
| Tatum Bethune, LB | INJURED |
The Eagles and head coach Nick Sirianni rested their starters in Week 18 when a win and a Bears loss would have gotten them the #2 seed in the conference. Perhaps they didn't expect the Lions to beat the Bears. Or maybe they felt it was better to rest QB Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley, defensive lineman Jalen Carter, tight end Dallas Goedert, and others against the Commanders.
When I think more about Nick Sirianni and the Eagles resting most of their key starters, I think back to how bad the Eagles have looked on really short rest this year like the Thursday night loss at the Giants and the Friday home loss to the Chicago Bears. That leads me to… pic.twitter.com/r49TnKqJz7
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 2, 2026
Regardless, they will host the 49ers instead of the Packers.
Manipulating matchups, if that was indeed what the Eagles had in mind, does not always yield the desired results.
But their key stars had the equivalent of a bye and should be ready for the 'Niners.
After starting 8-2, the Eagles lost 4 of their final 7 games. There have been rumors of dysfunction within the organization, with complaints about Hurts.
Saquon Barkley returned to earth after his all-world 2024 season.
However, the Eagles seem to be one of those teams that is not happy unless there's drama.
Are they the team that won the Super Bowl last year? Or are they the team that collapsed in 2023?
They were 19th in points scored per game this season and 5th in points allowed per game. The defense handles the pass well, ranked 5th in passing yards allowed per game. Philly was 22nd against the rush in yards per game.
Philly has played a significant number of extra games over the past few years with their two Super Bowl runs. Resting their stars blew their chance at the #2 seed, but that doesn't mean it was wrong. Criticism will be a second guess based on failure if it doesn't work.
Philly is middle-of-the-pack in interceptions and sacks. If they give Purdy time, he'll tear them up. If the Eagles are going to win, they need the 2024 version of Barkley and to take advantage of the compromised 'Niners.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Marcus Epps, S | INJURED |
| Grant Calcaterra, TE | INJURED |
| Dallas Goedert, TE | INJURED |
| Jalen Carter, DT | INJURED |
| Lane Johnson, OT | INJURED |
| Azeez Ojulari, LB | INJURED |
For the 49ers-Eagles Wild Card battle in Philly, the defending champs start their title defense in earnest. They had a largely easy path to the playoffs in a weak NFC East, so they can now get serious after what was a pseudo week off as they got ready for the postseason.
Their key is to contain McCaffrey as much as they can and not allow Purdy to lead the 49ers up and down the field as he had been before Seattle smothered them.
As beaten up as the 49ers are, there has been something off about the Eagles all season. Can they turn it on? Did the rest help their veterans? Or will they start pointing fingers if they fall behind early?
Sirianni will not want to listen to Philly sports talk radio during the week if they lose to the 49ers when they could have been hosting the Packers had they won in Week 18.
The 49ers will keep the game close enough to cover the spread and could win the game, sending the Eagles into another offseason of criticism and questions about whether their bickering players can continue to co-exist.
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Pick
San Francisco 49ers +5
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