Which team really has the better advantage?
Philly fans, our beloved Philadelphia Eagles are set to host the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. Both these teams have been at the top of their game for the entirety of the 2022 season, with the Birds taking the one seed and the Niners taking the second seed, this matchup since the beginning of the playoffs has really been the most talked about and likely matchup.
As of now, the Eagles are 2-point home favorites over their upcoming opponent, which to be seems low. However, this matchup should be one for the books. Both teams are in the top five on both offense and defense. With that, which team has the advantage over who? Who has the better odds of coming out on top? Let’s look at a tale of the tape to see who has the better advantage!
As stated above, both of these teams are top 5 in regard to their offense and defense. San Francisco’s defense ranked number one to Philly’s #2 rank and offensively the Niners’ are ranked 5th with the Eagles’ ranked 3rd. So let’s get into the position groups and see who has the advantage, starting on defense.
Defensive Line:
This is a very close matchup, possibly the closest out of all that we are going to cover. A Nick Bosa led pass rush is something to take seriously, but for the most part, he is their pass rush. Bosa led the NFL in Sacks this year (18.), but the next guy to come close to him only has 5. Where San Fran has made it’s mark is on it’s rushing defense. With some big body defensive tackles and a pair of elite linebackers, they make it extremely difficult. However, with that being said, Philly’s 70 sacks and depth put them at a bigger advantage.
Edge: Eagles
Linebackers:
We all love Kazir White and T.J Edwards, but we are not going to spend much time on this one. A Fred Warner led linebacker group is a major reason for their defense’s success this season.
Edge: 49ers
Cornerbacks:
Just like the linebackers above, we are not going to spend much time here. Charvarious Ward and Deommodore Lenoir are solid players, but they are just not close to the same wave length as James Bradberry and Darius Slay. This to me is one of the biggest advantages that Philly has over San Francisco.
Edge: Eagles
Safety:
This is a little closer depending upon if Avonte Maddox is going to play in the slot this game and C.J Gardner-Johnson returning to the safety position, but Tashaun Gipson and Talanoa Hufanga have been solid all year and if the duo of Blakenship and Epps are the starters, the advantage would have to go to San Fran.
Edge: 49ers.
Onto the offense, starting once again in the trenches.
Offensive Line:
Trent Williams is an absolute incredible player, but outside of him they really do not have any household names. The Niners’ offense line has done well this season and is one of the better units, but we all saw the Cowboys pass rush have consistent success against them. The Eagles’ offensive line, which now has three Pro Bowlers and two First Team All-Pro’s, is one of the biggest reasons for Philly’s success this year. Push come to shove (literally), the Bird’s have the best offensive line in the NFL.
Edge: Eagles.
Running back:
Though Sanders made a Pro Bowl this year and has been a solid player, the Edge is simply going to have to go Christian McCaffrey, who has had an incredible impact since joining the Niners. Some may say that the stable of backs that Philly possesses would be the advantage, but the 49ers have a solid stable as well.
Edge: 49ers.
Tight End:
Everyone a year ago had a valid argument if George Kittle was the best tight end in the league or not, but in 2022, Dallas Goedert has certainly closed that gap. However, Kittle versus the middle of the Eagles’ defense is a major mismatch and he proved his worst during the game against Dallas.
Edge: 49ers.
Wide Receivers:
The trio of Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings is a formidable one for any opposing defense, but they all have their limitations. Samuel’s health over the course of the season and even leading into this game is a concern and Jennings ability to track the ball consistently only really leaves one receiver in Brandon Aiyuk to be a true threat in the passing game. As for Philly, the pair of not one, but two thousand yard receivers in AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith have defensive coordinators up a night. The passing game is what is going to help Philly win.
Edge: Eagles.
Quarterback:
As you can see, these teams are extremely close in talent and as of now, they are tied with who has the edge. The quarterback position is the last one we are going to cover and will be the tie-breaker for who has the better advantage in this upcoming NFC Championship Game. Brock Purdy, “Mr. Irrelevant”, the last pick in the draft, has played incredible since he took over the position for the Niners. He is currently undefeated and leading his team to only being 60 minutes away from the Super Bowl, but someone is standing in his way.
Someone is having the Niners defensive coordinator thinking and rethinking their game plan against the Eagles. Who is it? It is HIM, the System, qb1, MVP, and OPOY candidate for the 2022 season. It is Jalen Freaking Hurts. The man who is not hungry for this, but “starving” for this. The quarterback who still to this day is doubted everywhere he goes. Jalen’s efficiency, calmness, leadership, field of vision, and now experience in the moment are what separates him far from Mr. Purdy.
Edge: Eagles.
Final tally: 5-4 in favor of the Eagles.