49ers Just UNLOCKED Their ALL-PRO LB And Playoff Opponents Are SCREWED!

In the San Francisco 49ers’ gritty 23-19 wild-card playoff upset over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks delivered a masterful, game-defining performance that anchored the front seven and sealed the victory amid relentless pressure and high stakes.
Kendricks, signed to the practice squad in late November after a shoulder recovery and selective free agency wait, had played sparingly in the regular season but stepped up big when injuries and needs hit the linebacker corps. The 33-year-old, a former All-Pro with the Vikings, played every defensive snap (73 total, including heavy coverage duties) and responded with leadership, instincts, and physicality. He racked up 10 tackles (7 solo), including 2 for loss, while stuffing runs by Saquon Barkley and providing steady presence against the run in sloppy conditions that emphasized tough, fundamental play.

His crowning moment came late: a crucial pass breakup on fourth down, denying Jalen Hurts’ attempt to Dallas Goedert and forcing a turnover on downs with under 40 seconds left, clinching the win and punching San Francisco’s ticket to the divisional round. Kendricks also navigated coverage effectively.
Overall, his aggressive run support, downhill tackling, and savvy in the box helped contain Philly’s explosive offense, limiting big plays and forcing Hurts into difficult decisions throughout. Coach Kyle Shanahan and the staff lauded his readiness, with Kendricks himself breaking down the final stop post-game as a testament to preparation and team fight.
This was easily Kendricks’ best—and most impactful—outing in a 49ers uniform so far, transforming a late addition into a defensive cornerstone and arguably one of the top linebacker performances of the postseason opener.
Why this matters for the playoffs: Despite a depleted roster—including major injuries like the season-ending Achilles to All-Pro TE George Kittle—and facing a ferocious Eagles attack on the road, Kendricks showed veteran poise, durability, and clutch ability in his playoff debut with the team. He provided run-stopping physicality, coverage reliability, and the game-sealing play to preserve the lead in the fourth quarter. Paired with strong efforts from fellow linebackers like Garret Wallow and the secondary’s contributions (including rookies like Marques Sigle), the defense held firm to overcome adversity and secure the win as the No. 6 seed.
As the 49ers advance to face the NFC’s top-seeded Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round—a rematch after splitting the regular-season series—Kendricks’ emergence as a reliable, every-down force reinforces the defense’s resilience and depth. This savvy veteran, once a practice-squad pickup but now earning rave reviews for his grit and savvy, has locked in a key role against Seattle and could be the difference in containing a potent Seahawks offense deeper into January.
Full film breakdown of Kendricks’ key moments, including his tackles for loss on Barkley, downhill run fits, coverage discipline, and the iconic fourth-down PBU that sealed it in the clutch. Is Eric Kendricks ready to build on this veteran masterclass and help lead the Niners past their rivals deeper into the playoffs? Drop your thoughts below!

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35 comments

  1. With so much youth on the field, having him opposite of Fred gives us two high-IQ players on the field. It feels like Eric being able to sit out for most of the season and coming in with fresh legs is quite the bonus.

  3. I think Kendricks is going to have a great game against Seattle. I love Fred Warner but I don't think he's ready to play the mic linebacker right now. I'd rather keep the continuity going with Kendricks. He's exactly what we were missing in this Seattle game in week 18.

  5. When he played in Dallas i knew he was a dawg. When i saw the 9ers signed him I knew he was going to make a difference. Tbh, I was really happy he took Bethune's spot, Bethune plays aggressive but Kendricks plays with smarts and is also aggressive when he needs to be, hence the cleaning up of tackles. I'm so happy with Kendricks.

  10. Not to take away from Kendricks, but to paraphrase the old saying, Patullo is the definition of insanity, running a pre-season offense this far into the playoffs. Kendricks looked like PWill out there against that vanilla offense. Hopefully he will have the game(s) of his life, from here on out.

  13. Thanks Wizez. Washed…no way. He was point man against a top tier team and took over. When he was at Dallas, he lost the desire because they were crap. Here, he is a sensei, the young guys look to him and he will not disappoint. I think Eric Kendricks will do his part. We have to stop the run to dictate the game.

  16. Yeah his play was amazing. Cowboy fan Skip Bayless was astonished with his game saying when he was washed and couldn't cover receivers when he was last on the cowboys.

  28. Even if we get stomped by the Hawks, it's been a great pleasure to watch the 49ers' defense find ways to play at a high level without their most acclaimed players.
    I don't know what's happened to Mustapha, he looked so good in his first year, but now he seems to almost be lost in the D…Recovering from the injuries these guys get, maybe they have to, in a way, relearn the game in the context of their "new" body's limitation. I hope that he figures it out…thanks Wiz, always enjoy your coverage!

  30. Love it with so much knowledge and wisdom you can tell you put alot into this…this is why this in the best breakdown channel ever ❤️💛

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