NFC Wild Card predictions: Who advances and who goes home
USA TODAY Sports Chris Bumbaca and Joe Rivera share who they think will make it out of the NFC Wild Card round.
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A familiar matchup awaits in the wild-card round of the 2025 NFL playoffs.
Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles secured back-to-back NFC East titles, signaling they should be considered serious contenders to defend their Super Bowl title.
It’s a rematch of the 2022 NFC Championship Game to start the postseason journey for the defending champs when they host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon.
Coached by Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers have been one of the league’s most resilient and explosive teams. San Francisco finished the regular season 12-5 and had an opportunity to secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed in Week 18, but fell to the Seattle Seahawks and tumbled to the No. 6 seed.
Both teams have tons of playoff experience, but San Francisco will have to overcome multiple injuries. They have been able to win games behind their dynamic offense led by Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle. However, the 49ers’ defense is without key players like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Mykel Williams.
Experience and health won’t be a problem for the birds, who enter the playoffs with momentum despite resting starters in Week 18. Philadelphia’s defense, under highly respected coordinator Vic Fangio, has improved and intensified as the season progressed and presents a massive challenge for the high-powered Niners unit.
This wild-card matchup promises to have no shortage of drama. Here’s a breakdown of the Eagles vs. 49ers matchup for the 2025 NFL playoffs:
Eagles vs. 49ers wild card odds
The defending champs are listed as favorites over the NFC West powerhouse in the contest, according to the BetMGM NFL odds.
Spread: Eagles (-4.5)Moneyline: Eagles (-220) | 49ers (+180)Over/under: 45
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Eagles vs. 49ers matchups to watchSaquon Barkley vs. 49ers run defense
The 49ers defense allowed the second-highest rushing success rate while ranking 31st in PFF run defense grade and 24th in run defense DVOA, per FTN. It’s strength vs. weakness, and the reigning Offensive Player of the Year has a good chance of a vintage performance like he often did on the Eagles’ postseason run exactly one year ago.
Barkley didn’t have an outstanding statistical season rushing for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns but he averaged 4.9 yards per carry over the last month. The longer Philadelphia has possession, the more likely it is that Barkley will break off big gains.
49ers’ pass-catchers vs. Eagles’ secondary
The 49ers’ offense runs through Christian McCaffrey. On the ground and through the air. McCaffrey finished the season with 102 receptions, making him the first RB with at least 100 receptions in three career seasons. How the Eagles slow him down while defending Kittle and the tertiary receiving weapons, like Jauan Jennings, will play a key role.
Unless the Eagles don’t make slowing McCaffrey a focal point, Purdy will have to rely on the likes of Jennings, Demarcus Robinson and oft-injured Ricky Perasall.
Philadelphia’s top cornerback Quinyon Mitchell finished the season as the only CB in the league to be targeted 60 or more times and not allow a TD (82 targets). He also allowed the lowest completion percentage among all CBs. With Cooper DeJean on the other side, the Eagles’ defense held opponents to the lowest completion percentage in the NFL, 56.5%.
Will they be able to slow down the 49ers offense that ranked second in DVOA? Time will tell.
Eagles’ offensive line vs. 49ers’ front seven
In a game that features two high-powered offenses, it’s the offensive line that might have the most significant impact. The hog mollies don’t often get the recognition they deserve but in recent seasons the Eagles – thanks in large part to the “Tush Push” – have made household names along the offensive line.
Philly holds the unit advantage, especially with Lane Johnson expected to return from a foot injury. The Eagles’ line took a step back compared to 2024, but the unit remains one of the best.
On the flip side, they will be blocking a 49ers front seven that has been hampered by injuries. As a result, the pass rush has been nonexistent this season. They rank 29th in pass rush win rate (30%) and last in pressure rate (25%). Add on to the injuries the 49ers suffered in Week 18 to linebackers Tatum Bethune, Dee Winters and Garret Wallow, and the Eagles’ o-line will steamroll whoever stands in their way this Sunday.
Early prediction for Eagles vs. 49ers
The Eagles have the defensive edge and will take advantage of the 49ers’ mediocre stop unit. The Eagles offense has been up-and-down at times, but should be able to consistently put points on the board against the 49ers, who finished 27th in defensive DVOA.
Despite a 12-5 record, San Francisco has enjoyed the luxury of the easiest schedule in 2025.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia played the 11th-hardest schedule as the defending champions typically face stiff competition each week.
The Eagles defense has all the right pieces playing at a high level entering January. Mitchell and DeJean are tremendous cornerbacks who can stick with any of the 49ers’ receivers. In the trenches, the defense has made more highlight plays with the addition of Jaelan Phillips at the trade deadline. He, along with Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith, are dynamic rushing the passer. While Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, and Jihaad Campbell are as strong a linebacking core as you can find in the league. This group is healthy, with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis leading the way; they are built to slow down the 49ers’ offense, which revolves around McCaffrey and Kittle.
The Eagles have home-field, rest and health advantages in this one and are set up to exploit San Fran’s weaknesses.
Nick Sirianni’s squad gets the job done in their quest to defend their Super Bowl title. Sirianni and Hurts are 5-0 at Lincoln Financial Field in the postseason and stay undefeated after Sunday.