After going 11-6 in the regular season, the Eagles were knocked out of the playoffs by the 49ers (12-5) at Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia is the only NFL team to defend its division title in 2025. The Eagles have won the NFC East title in three of the past four seasons (as well as in 2022 and 2024).
Still, the Eagles have been playing with fire all season, and Sunday night was no exception. Nick Sirianni’s team started off strong offensively but struggled late in the game, allowing the injury-plagued 49ers to lead 23-19 with less than 3:00 minutes left in regulation.
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After Philadelphia racked up more than 100 yards in the first quarter, the Eagles managed just 119 yards and six points in the second half, ending Kevin Pattullo’s experiment as offensive coordinator once and for all. Overall, the Eagles offense had 19 first downs but was 5-16 on third down and 3-5 on fourth down for a total of 307 yards, 167 yards passing, 140 yards rushing, and a 2-3 record in the red zone while holding the ball for 11 minutes (35:39-24:21).
Vic Fangio’s unit collapses
Every time the defense had a bad performance, the Eagles picked a bad night to collapse and essentially gave up on this wild-card game. Aside from Quinion Mitchell’s interception, Philadelphia was troubled by the 49ers offense without George Kittle and its star wideout. Purdy threw for 262 yards in a road win in Philadelphia, but was unable to earn the spot three seasons ago after an injury suffered in a dismal loss in the NFC Championship Game. In addition to the touchdown pass, Jauan Jennings also had 66 yards receiving and 48 yards rushing. San Francisco beat Philadelphia despite having ten fewer minutes of possession. More importantly, the 49ers are 6-11 on third downs.
49ers linebacker
With a significantly thinned linebacker corps, Garrett Vallow and Eric Kendricks combined for 11 tackles with two tackles for loss and two passes defended, including the Eagles’ final play.
Quinyon Mitchell is a tough-minded All-Pro player
Mitchell may be giving up after catching two passes on the 49ers’ first drive.
AJ Brown
The Browns chose not to speak to the media after the loss, and chief safety Dom DiSandro had to intervene during a heated exchange with coach Nick Sirianni late in the first half. After the Eagles ended the drive with a punt, Brown took off his helmet in frustration and yelled at Sirianni. Overall, Brown had three catches for 25 yards on seven targets in what could be his last game in an Eagles uniform. DeVonta Smith led the Eagles with eight catches for 70 yards.
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Jack Elliot
The Eagles’ star shot made it 2-2 but missed the extra point, which in hindsight would have allowed Philadelphia to send the game into overtime.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles vs. 49ers: Highlights from 23-19 loss in NFC wild-card round
