After falling short of grabbing the top seed in the NFC and the coveted home-field advantage that comes with it, the San Francisco 49ers are headed to Philadelphia to play the defending Super Bowl Champion Eagles. Philadelphia fans are known to be passionate about their sports teams, and the 49ers are expecting the atmosphere to be loud and uninviting for them. “It has to do with how loud that crowd is, and they’re going to be going,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday. “You got to give them a reason to be quiet, and if not, it’s an extremely challenging place to play. You’re not going to be able to hear, and we’ve got to expect that.”The last time the 49ers played a playoff game in Philadelphia was the 2022 season, when both their quarterbacks left the game injured. Christian McCaffrey scored the only touchdown for the 49ers that game. “Hostile environment, great environment to play football at,” McCaffrey said at his locker Wednesday. “But you know, at the end of the day, it’s 11 guys we’re playing against on defense and executing on every play.”The 49ers are also dealing with a number of injuries heading into this game. Their defense is without several linebackers, and they may be expected to rely on Eric Kendricks and Kyzir White to play those positions. Kendricks joined the team just a few weeks ago, and White was added this week. Both are experienced veterans, but haven’t had much playing time this season. “I try to take it day by day,” White said. “One meeting at a time. Just being where my feet is at, not being overwhelmed.”The linebackers will be tested right away in having to defend the Eagles’ star running back, Saquon Barkley. “I feel like they haven’t been playing up to par, but they have a great offense, a top running back,” he said. “I feel like it will be a good battle.”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SANTA CLARA, Calif. —
After falling short of grabbing the top seed in the NFC and the coveted home-field advantage that comes with it, the San Francisco 49ers are headed to Philadelphia to play the defending Super Bowl Champion Eagles.
Philadelphia fans are known to be passionate about their sports teams, and the 49ers are expecting the atmosphere to be loud and uninviting for them.
“It has to do with how loud that crowd is, and they’re going to be going,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday. “You got to give them a reason to be quiet, and if not, it’s an extremely challenging place to play. You’re not going to be able to hear, and we’ve got to expect that.”
The last time the 49ers played a playoff game in Philadelphia was the 2022 season, when both their quarterbacks left the game injured. Christian McCaffrey scored the only touchdown for the 49ers that game.
“Hostile environment, great environment to play football at,” McCaffrey said at his locker Wednesday. “But you know, at the end of the day, it’s 11 guys we’re playing against on defense and executing on every play.”
The 49ers are also dealing with a number of injuries heading into this game. Their defense is without several linebackers, and they may be expected to rely on Eric Kendricks and Kyzir White to play those positions. Kendricks joined the team just a few weeks ago, and White was added this week. Both are experienced veterans, but haven’t had much playing time this season.
“I try to take it day by day,” White said. “One meeting at a time. Just being where my feet is at, not being overwhelmed.”
The linebackers will be tested right away in having to defend the Eagles’ star running back, Saquon Barkley.
“I feel like they haven’t been playing up to par, but they have a great offense, a top running back,” he said. “I feel like it will be a good battle.”
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel