Sometimes, budding rivalries are squelched by the schedule.
The last two times the 49ers played the Philadelphia Eagles, there was no shortage of drama.
A little more than two years ago, the 49ers staked their claim as the NFL’s best team with a 42-19 win over the Eagles, who were 10-1 at the time. It didn’t erase the pain of their previous matchup in the NFC Championship Game following the 2022 season, when Brock Purdy has his right elbow shredded on a sack by Haason Reddick.
That loss ended the 49ers’ hopes of making the Super Bowl, while the Eagles went on to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs.
So the regular-season game on Dec. 3 served as some feel-good therapy even if it didn’t erase the sting of the playoff loss. The 49ers came in 9-3, scored touchdowns on six consecutive possessions and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better team in football at that moment.
It turned out to be the zenith of the season for the 49ers, who made the Super Bowl but were never that good again. And haven’t been since. Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle were at the height of their powers Purdy played errorless football. The 49ers’ defense shut down Jalen Hurts and Co.
It also ruined the Eagles’ season, as they lost five of their last six games and were embarrassed 32-9 against Tampa Bay in the wild-card round.
Philadelphia rebounded to win Super Bowl LIX and finish 18-3 last season while the 49ers were decimated by injury and staggered to a 6-11 record.
Now the 49ers are on the upswing and the Eagles look as if they’re lost again. They lead the NFC East, but have gone from 8-2 to 8-5, giving up 575 yards in the three losses. Hurts is spewing turnovers, and had two on one play (an interception and a lost fumble) on the same play in a 22-19 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
It’s not impossible for the 49ers to win the NFC West and even be the top seed. It’s more likely they’ll be playing in the wild card round. Philadelphia’s remaining schedule is favorable enough to project they’ll hold on in the NFC East. It could well be the Eagles in the first game as the 49ers attempt to play in Super Bowl LX at their home stadium on Feb. 8.
A look at how the playoffs are looking heading into Week 15 including Thursday night’s result:
NFC outlook
Matchups based on current standings
Bye: No. 1 L.A. Rams (10-3)
Rams’ final four: vs. Detroit (8-5), at Seattle (10-3), at Atlanta (5-9), vs. Arizona (3-10)
The next two weeks can cement the top seed for the Rams or put them in the wild-card picture at No. 5 or lower.
No. 7 Chicago (9-4) at No. 2 Green Bay (9-3-1)
Bears’ final four: vs. Cleveland (3-10), vs. Green Bay (9-3-1), at 49ers (9-4), vs. Detroit (8-5)
A loss to the Browns this week could be death knell considering what follows.
Packers’ final four: at Denver (11-2), at Chicago (9-4), vs. Baltimore (6-7), at Minnesota (5-8)
Every remaining opponent except the last one could still have postseason aspirations.
No. 6 49ers (9-4) at No. 3 Philadelphia (8-5)
49ers’ final four: vs. Tennessee (2-11), at Indianapolis (8-5), vs. Chicago (9-4), vs, Seattle (10-3)
Pardon me for being most intrigued for the possibility of facing Philip Rivers and Indy on Monday night in Week 16.
Eagles’ final four: vs. Las Vegas (2-11), at Washington (3-10), at Buffalo (9-4), vs. Washington (3-10)
As poorly as they’re playing, it’s still hard to imagine Philly not reaching 11 wins against this slate.
No. 5 Seattle (10-3) at No. 4 Carolina (7-6)
Seahawks’ final four: vs. Indianapolis (8-5), vs. L.A. Rams (10-3), at Carolina (7-6), at 49ers (9-4)
There seems to be a growing consensus that the Seahawks are the team to beat.
Panthers’ final four: at New Orleans (2-11), vs. Tampa Bay (7-7), vs. Seattle (10-3), at Tampa Bay (7-7)
If you saw Carolina against the 49ers, it’s hard to believe.
Still alive
No. 8 Detroit (8-5): With a strong finish, it’s not far-fetched that Lions will end up on top in the NFC North.
Lions’ final four: at L.A. Rams (10-3), vs. Pittsburgh (7-6), at Minnesota (5-8), at Chicago (9-4)
No. 9 Tampa Bay (7-7): The Bucs suffered a major cave-in Thursday night against Atlanta, blowing a 14-point lead against a penalty-prone opponent. They have two games against the Panthers to get it right.
Bucs’ final three: at Carolina (7-6), at Miami (6-7) vs. Carolina (7-6)
No. 10 Dallas (6-6-1): Don’t look now, but Dallas could win all four of these games and the NFC East title.
Cowboys’ final four: vs. Minnesota (5-8), vs. L.A. Chargers (9-4), at Washington (3-10), at N.Y. Giants (2-11)
The Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes are in big trouble in the AFC in terms of advancing to Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. A.P. Photo
AFC outlook
Bye: 1. Denver (11-2)
Broncos’ final four: vs. Green Bay (9-3-1), vs. Jacksonville (9-4), at Kansas City (6-7), vs. L.A. Chargers (9-4)
During training camp, I set an unofficial over/under on the combined number of games played by Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw as 20. They’re at 19 and will break it at 21 on Sunday.
No. 7 Houston (8-5) at No. 2 New England (11-2)
Texans’ final four: vs. Arizona (3-10), vs. Las Vegas (2-11), at L.A. Chargers (9-4), at Indianapolis (8-5)
The Texans look destined for a playoff spot. Whoever gets Houston in the wild card will be hurting the next week, win or lose.
Patriots’ final four: vs. Buffalo (9-4), at Baltimore (6-7), at N.Y. Jets (3-10), vs. Miami (6-7)
Win the last two games and it keeps hopes of a first-round bye alive and cements Mike Vrabel as coach of the year.
No. 6 Buffalo (9-4) at No. 3 Jacksonville (9-4)
Bills’ final four: at New England (11-2), at Cleveland (3-10), vs. Philadelphia (8-5), vs. N.Y. Jets (3-10)
With the Chiefs fading to black, it may be the right time for the Bills to get back to the Super Bowl — and maybe even win it.
Jaguars’ final four: vs. N.Y. Jets (3-10), at Denver (11-2), at Indianapolis (8-5), vs. Tennessee (2-11)
The Jaguars are winners of four straight against suspect opposition, with another cupcake looming in the Jets.
No. 5 L.A. Chargers (9-4) at No. 4 Pittsburgh (7-6)
Chargers’ final four: at Kansas City (6-7), at Dallas (6-6-1), vs. Houston (7-6), at Denver (11-2)
Justin Herbert ran for 66 yards on 10 carries against the Eagles just days after surgery on left hand.
Steelers’ final four: vs. Miami (6-7), at Detroit (8-5), at Cleveland (3-10), vs. Baltimore (6-7)
Ten wins is achievable but this team has 9-8 and a wild card exit written all over it.
Still alive
8. Indianapolis (8-5): Think the Colts wish they’d signed Mac Jones as a backup? Philip Rivers returns at age 44 and four difficult games await. Headed for 8-9?
Colts’ final four: at Seattle (10-3), at 49ers (9-4), vs. Jacksonville (9-4), at Houston (7-6)
9. Baltimore (6-7): The Ravens’ last head coach before John Harbaugh was Brian Billick in 2007. Time for a new approach?
Ravens’ final four: at Cincinnati (4-9), vs. New England (11-2), at Green Bay (9-3-1), at Pittsburgh (7-6)
10. Kansas City (6-7): The Chiefs were 11-0 in one-score games last season en route to 15-2. Patrick Mahomes and Co. are 1-6 this season.
Chiefs’ final four: vs. L.A. Chargers (9-4), at Tennessee (2-11), vs. Denver (11-2), at Las Vegas (2-11)
11. Miami (6-7): Anyone else think Mike McDaniel would still be around after a 31-6 loss to Cleveland for a 1-6 start? Didn’t think so.
Dolphins’ final four: at Pittsburgh (7-6), vs. Cincinnati (4-9), vs. Tampa Bay (7-7), at New England (11-2)