The San Francisco 49ers clinched a hard-fought 23-19 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 14, 2024, effectively ending the Eagles’ hopes of repeating as Super Bowl champions. With a standout performance from running back Christian McCaffrey, who scored two crucial touchdowns in the second half, the 49ers’ defense delivered a pivotal fourth down stop in the final minute to secure the win.
McCaffrey’s first touchdown came on a 29-yard pass from wide receiver Jauan Jennings during the opening play of the fourth quarter. This score marked his eighth consecutive postseason game with a touchdown, coinciding with the total number of playoff appearances in his career. McCaffrey added another touchdown with less than three minutes remaining, reinforcing his status as a key player for the 49ers.
The Eagles briefly regained the lead at 19-17 thanks to a field goal from kicker Jake Elliott. However, the 49ers responded decisively, with quarterback Brock Purdy connecting with Demarcus Robinson and McCaffrey for crucial first downs. A defensive holding penalty negated a sack on Purdy during this critical drive, allowing him to find McCaffrey again for a touchdown on a third down from the Eagles’ 4-yard line. Although kicker Eddy Pineiro missed the ensuing extra point, the Eagles still required a touchdown to win.
As the Eagles attempted to mount a comeback, a potential drop by wide receiver A.J. Brown almost derailed their efforts. Nevertheless, quarterback Jalen Hurts found tight end Dallas Goedert for a fourth down conversion, keeping their hopes alive. Hurts advanced the Eagles to the 20-yard line, aided by two completions to wide receiver DeVonta Smith. However, a one-yard sack followed by three consecutive incompletions ended the Eagles’ chances of a Super Bowl repeat, leaving their offense struggling to find momentum in the second half.
The Eagles began the game strong, holding a 13-10 lead at halftime. Yet, their offense suffered from a series of three-and-outs and only managed to score on a pair of Elliott field goals after the break. This inconsistency has been a recurring theme throughout their season, prompting questions about the necessary adjustments as they enter the offseason earlier than anticipated.
Looking ahead, the 49ers will travel to Seattle for a rematch against the Seahawks, aiming to improve upon their previous loss to Seattle in Week 18. However, they will do so without tight end George Kittle, who was ruled out in the second quarter due to an Achilles injury. Speculation surrounds the severity of his condition, with expectations leaning toward a possible torn tendon. Meanwhile, Demarcus Robinson emerged as a significant contributor, recording six receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown, highlighting the need for other players to step up as the 49ers aim for a return to the NFC Championship Game for the fifth time under head coach Kyle Shanahan.
