NFL Game Of The Week: San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The 49ers will travel to Philadelphia Sunday, with both teams looking for a 2-0 start. If you came here looking for a Game Of The Week preview that doesn't feature the 49ers you're in the wrong spot. I'm choosing to write about the Niners for a second consecutive week and I can't promise there won't be more. The only thing I can promise based on this very early 2021 season are injuries and astroturf. 

Where to start with last week's 49ers/Lions game? The 49ers were up 38-10 early in the fourth quarter. Nick Bosa had taken off his tape, Jimmy Garoppolo was smiling, and I was strongly considering doing something else with my Sunday, like washing the dishes. The Lions then scored 23 points in just over three minutes of play, closing the lead to eight. At some point an onside kicked doinked off of George Kittle's helmet and Deebo Samuel fumbled a potential game-deciding first down. Suddenly, improbably,  we had a game, and I made the decision to definitely not do any dishes. 

In the end, the 49ers hung on to win 41-33. They lost CB Jason Verrett for the season with a torn ACL. They got a touchdown pass from rookie Trey Lance. The lost RB Raheem Mostert for the season with chipped knee cartilage that he has opted to have surgery on. They got a 104 yard game from his replacement Elijah Mitchell. Wow, only 16 games to go in the NFL's newly expanded 17 game season. On to Philadelphia. 

The Eagles had a much easier Sunday, taking down the Falcons 32-6. Jalen Hurts through three TDs, including one to former Alabama teammate DeVonta Smith, while their defense held Matt Ryan to 164 yards in the air. Atlanta is not a good team, but Philly has to feel a lot better about their win coming into this week than the 49ers do. 

Whether you think San Francisco backed into their win or held on triumphantly in the face of demoralizing injuries, they'll need to put it behind them and find a way to make things work with who they have. Despite the injuries, the 49ers should be feeling good about Jimmy Garoppolo's Week 1 performance. The eighth year QB went 17 of 24 for 314 yards and a TD to improve his record as a starter to 24-9. Not unbelievable offensive numbers by any means, but it was important for Garoppolo to go out and have a solid game with all that "drafting of his successor" business this offseason. 

Garoppolo got help from Mostert's replacement Mitchell (104 yards on 19 carries and a TD) while Deebo Samuel hauled in 9 receptions for 189 yards and a TD (I've already forgotten about the fumble). Trent Sherfield built on his strong pre-season with a TD reception, and George Kittle had four catches for 78 yards. And yes, I've already forgotten about the onside kick helmet doink. Best believe Kittle has also. One thing Kittle probably hasen't forgotten is his 15 catch 183 yard 1 TD game against Philadelphia last season. 

The Eagles will trot out a solid offense Sunday. So solid I'm regretting using the word trot. They will FLY a solid offense out, featuring Jalean Reagor, who had six catches for 49 yards and a TD on Sunday, RB Miles Sanders (15 carries/74 yards) and DeVonta Smith 6 rec, 71 yards and a TD. All will be at Jalen Hurt's disposal. Not good news for a battered 49ers secondary. The've signed former Washington Football Team corner Josh Norman, though it's unclear if he'll be on the field Sunday. Richard Sherman definitely won't be on the field Sunday, but the word is out that the team has reached out to him about a return. Help is needed. 

If the 49ers are weak art corner, their DL is at least looking promising. Bosa, whether his tape is on or off, is back. He recorded four solo tackles and a sack in Sunday's win. Azeez Al-Shaair also had four solo tackles. LB Fred Warner had seven tackles and remains the leader of this defense. Dee Ford even had a sack. I know, just one. Please let him have it. You know what else Dee Ford did just once last season? Play in a game. He's building. They'll need to keep their strong play going and make Hurts very uncomfortable on Sunday because if they don't, an already open DeVonta Smith is gonna put points on the board. 

Philadelphia's defense will be tasked with stopping Kyle Shanahan's unpredictable offense. Brandon Graham, TJ Edwards, Josh Sweat and company will have to figure out Elijah Mitchell and slow down both Deebo Samuel and Trent Sherfield, who is emerging a a playmaker. They'll also have to stop Kittle from having a repeat of last year's matchup. And if Brandon Aiyuk gets more targets than he did against the Lions, they'll officially have their hands full. This is gonna be a good game. 

My prediction: I hated how the game ended for SF in Detroit, but until it happens again, I have to believe this team knows how to finish games better than that. Do they know how to stop the Eagles' offense? Not completely, but they've got an offense of their own that can overcome that. 49ers 24-20.