The NFC East champion Eagles (11-6) return to the NFL playoffs as the division’s third seed and will face the rival 49ers (12-5) at Lincoln Financial Field in what should be a high-energy, high-scoring game.
The Eagles have the best record in the NFL (including playoffs) since the start of 2022 (56-20), and they are must-see television. The NFL broadcast team on FOX will be in attendance as Philadelphia acquires the late Sunday afternoon slot.
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As kickoff approaches, we’ll be focusing on six low-key 49ers games.
WR Jayan Jennings
December 28, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Jennings is the 49ers’ second-leading receiver behind Christian McCaffrey, with 55 catches for 643 yards and nine touchdowns. Jennings enters the playoffs with momentum, having thrown a total of six touchdown passes over the past six games, and his nine scores are tied for eighth in the league this season.
OL Austin Plains
Oct 19, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Austen Pleasants (62) before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Trent Williams is expected to play, but if the all-world left tackle cannot play or is forced to withdraw, all eyes will turn to Austin Pleasant. Since entering the NFL as an undrafted rookie in 2020, he has been on seven teams’ practice squads and has played the most snaps of his career this season.
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WR Kendrick Bourne
Byrne missed his only target in Saturday’s 13-3 loss to the Seahawks. Bourne had 142 receiving yards in Weeks 5 and 6, although he didn’t have more than 50 receiving yards in any other regular-season game. If Ricky Pearsall is unavailable, Byrne may get more touches.
Demarcus Robinson
Robinson had three catches on four targets for 24 yards in the Seahawks’ 13-3 loss last Saturday. If Ricky Pearsall doesn’t play, he’ll have a chance to get more shots.
LB Luke Gifford
Gifford (quadriceps) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s wild-card game against the Eagles, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco reports. Gifford and Dee Winters (ankle) were both injured in Week 18 against the Seahawks, leaving both San Francisco’s starting outside linebackers questionable heading into Sunday’s playoff game. Eric Kendricks, Curtis Robinson and Garrett Vallow will start.
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LB Garrett Vallow
Vallow, who was recently acquired by the Broncos after being waived, has contributed primarily as a special teams player during his five-year NFL career. He played in 42 games with the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos, making 36 tackles, 1 sack and 11 special teams tackles. His most recent performance came this season in Denver, where he played seven games and had five tackles on special teams before being waived on Dec. 6.
DB Upton Stott
The former Western Kentucky star developed well at the Nicholls position as an outside cornerback, finishing the 2025 regular season with 82 tackles (43 solo), 1.0 sacks and one forced fumble in 16 games. Stout was selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft and was inserted into the 49ers’ starting corner spot from day one. He struggled defensively, and his matchup inside with AJ Brown, Jahan Dotson and DeVonta Smith will be key.
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DB Gil Brown
Brown is a versatile linebacker who recorded 76 tackles (44 solo), two interceptions and one forced fumble in 17 regular season games with the 49ers in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Six under-the-radar San Francisco players to watch
