Eagles vs. 49ers preview: Can Philadelphia's defense do enough to win?

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Kyle Shanahan versus Fick Fangio. uh the Eagles offense that has disappointed and underwhelmed this year against a San Francisco defense that is severely banged up and limited with their personnel. We break down all those different matchups on both sides of the ball, the coaching matchups and what we think will happen in this game and we give you our prediction as well. But first, this episode is brought to you by Penco Tech. With two convenient campuses located in Blackwood, New Jersey, and in Bristol, Pennsylvania, Penote Tech has provided comprehensive hands-on career training for more than 50 years. Featuring programs in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, automotive technology, and more. With dedicated instructors and career placement assistants, Panko Tech can give you the skills and confidence for a brighter future. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Learn more and take the first step by going to penco.edu. And we're three days out now, Bob. So, let's get into it. Uh, the Eagles are going to play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at home at Lincoln Financial Field. They're the three seed. San Francisco is the six seed. The Eagles last week decided not to play the majority of their starters against uh the Commanders. They end up losing that game. But on the other side, Chicago ended up losing as well. So they end up costing them an opportunity to get the two seed and play the Packers at home instead. So now they're going to have to play San Francisco, who is really banged up uh right now. Trent Williams um practiced on Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice. So it seems like he's on track to to play in this game. Uh but wide receiver Ricky Pieraw was reportedly out of practice for the second consecutive day. They lost Tayden Bthun, one of their starting linebackers that replaced Fred Warner for the season uh right before this game. He's out for the year now as well. Dwyers, uh it seems like he's not going to potentially play in this game for the 49ers. Their other starting linebackers, so there's stuff out there saying that, you know, Eric Hendrickx and Garrett Wallow, you know, raise your hand if you know that name. Garrett Wallow, former Texans linebacker who's a day three pick. uh he's been really a backup special teams journeyman and also Kaiser White, the former Eagle um starting linebacker during that 2022 season. Those three players could be the 49ers linebackers. Uh this is a team that already miss Nick Bosa for the year uh and Fred Warner for the year. So it's a really banged up 49ers team. Uh but ultimately they are led by Kyle Shanahan. um they will be a challenge um because of that offense, especially the passing game. Um they're ranks right at the top of the league. Their offense is playing incredible u until last week when the Seahawks really shut them down. So, I'm just curious to get your perspective on this matchup because I'm kind of just talking through this thinking like like the Eagles are still I don't know if they are the most talented team in the league anymore because of the offensive line, but I still think they are one of the more talent teams in the league. San Francisco, if you look at this roster top to bottom, bo, I mean, to me, they don't look very good um in terms of just like talent. They don't have a ton of guys. Obviously, they have Kyle Shanahan, but right now, I actually think the Eagles got in a favorable position to play the 49ers. I don't know if the 49ers are that much better than the Packers. >> Yeah, I think the 49ers are better than the Packers. Um, you know, they and and I and I'll take Kyle Shanahan over Matt Maflor. I know they're both considered very good coaches uh in this league. Um, you know, Christian McCaffrey, he's a little banged up like a lot of the NerS are. Um, but he he's a real threat to do so many different things for that team. Uh he had over 2,000 yards from scrimmage this year and maybe even more of a threat at this point in his career. 102 receptions, 924 yards. He's he's a special player. Uh has been a special player. This is game matching the two offensive players of the year uh for the last two years. McCaffrey two years ago and then Saquon Barker last year. Um because that offense is so dynamic. Uh, you know, I was having a talk with Adori Jackson today. Um, just about Okay, we we always hear that Kyle Shanahan is special. Uh, what in your mind? I asked him if you believe that. And then I said, "What in your mind uh makes you think so?" And he said, "Yes, he does believe it." He said, "He does." You know, you got to keep your eyes disciplined uh when you're playing defensive backfield against this team. He said the thing that maybe impressed him most about the the the Niners this year is that they lost Brock Perie for uh eight games. They and they they inserted M Jones and they still went five and three and still stayed in playoff contention. Um so you know they they obviously are a good team. They had a better record than the Eagles. Uh obviously not a great schedule. They although they did play Seattle twice and the Rams twice. Uh that that's a that's a tough go right there. Uh they they lost to Jacksonville at home. Is there is there So there let's go over their five losses here at at Jacksonville at home. At the Rams they lost uh at the Rams they won actually, I'm sorry. And then they uh lost to the Rams at home. The Rams dropped 42 on them in that game and that wasn't that long ago. Um but lost at Tampa Bay when Tampa Bay was a different team that that stage of the season and weren't that far removed from having played the Eagles at that point and lost at Houston. No no no crime in that. Uh so you talk about those and then they lost last game of season to Seattle. Um where they only gave up 13. Uh but there there are some been some big numbers uh hung on the 49ers defense this year. They've allowed over 400 yards offense. One, two, is it three, four, five times. Um, you know, so they're they've they've struggled on defense, which makes sense without when you got a defense without uh Fred Fred Warner and Nick Bosa without your two best players. Um, but you know, this this is a it's it's a rivalry game, too, because um this team came in here two years ago, beat the beat the crap out of the Eagles after getting the crap beat out of them by the Eagles when they lost Brock Curry in FC Championship. This is renewing. This is the first time they since teams have met since those two games. Uh so, so there is some rivalry here. There's some history between the teams. Um, it'll it'll be fun to it, it'll be fun game to cover. I, you know, we'll get into who we think is gonna win in a while, but it should be a fun game to cover. And I don't, you know, I don't think it's going to be a cakewalk for the Eagles by any mean. I I think they I think the Eagles would have handled the Packers uh with without Micah Parsons pretty easily and because I just don't think they have as dynamic in offensive scheme or in players. Uh, you know, there are there are some players on this uh 49ers offense that are underrated anymore. Let's go to George KD and K Christian Cathy right there. There's going to be his two biggest targets in this game. But you you you have some other players who who are um who are threats and the one that comes to mind is Dawan Jennings. Um, but the one thing I was talking to um Ador Jackson about today was I said, "So, how how different is this team and that Niners team that beat up the Eagles? They had Brandon Aayuk and Debo Samuel at wide receiver and and I don't think either player is what they were at that time two years ago, which is amazing how much things can change, but that time those two guys were as physical as any two receivers in the league. and the 49ers are not bringing that this time. Christian McCaffrey certainly is still a very physical player and as is George KD. Um, but I, you know, it's going to be a tough game because the Niners are well coached and they have some real talent and I haven't even mentioned Brock Perie yet. I I admire Brock Perie. I think he's he's got a real toughness to him. Um, they were seven and two under Brock Perie this year. um had a 100.5 passer rating. Uh he can he can hurt you with his legs. Uh and he doesn't doesn't take a whole lot of sacks. So it'll it's going to be a fascinating game to watch. >> Yeah. And you mentioned the changes that have happened with the 49ers uh playmakers. I think it was fair to say that season they are arguably the most talented offense in the NFL. Uh Brandon Aayuk looked like he was on the verge of being a consistent top 10 wide receiver in the NFL. We obviously know what's happened with his career now that he didn't show up with the Niners. He got hurt last year. Uh and then Debo really regressed after that season and it's turned a page at wide receiver. They're still decent there but they're definitely not as dynamic. But I mean the Eagles are also so much better in the secondary. In that game the Eagles were playing James Bradberry and Eli Ricks. I mean, it was a rough go for the Eagles uh that that afternoon against San Francisco. They didn't have the corners to tackle to cover those guys. Um now the Eagles arguably have one of the best secondaries in the NFL. Um with with their two young Pro Bowl quarterbacks in Cooper Dean and uh Gwen Mitchell and you mentioned Joy Jackson also playing well and relaying ship and Marcus Eps. They're better suited uh to to stop San Francisco's offense overall now just in general. uh with Jaylen Phillips and uh uh Jayl Hunt um playing really well and then and then the linebacker play with Bond and Dean they match up so much better personnel wise and now they also have Vic Fangio um instead of you know Shawn Desai um so they're they're in a much better position correct me if I'm wrong is the week after San Fran or is the week after Dallas they they you know demoted to Sai like it it was pretty close to that so >> it was it before the Seattle game. >> Well, for the Seattle game. Okay. So, >> which is which which was after San Francisco. Yeah. >> But it's really when everything started turning a mess. So, they didn't have the coordinator. They didn't have the personnel to match up with San Fran. San Fran was more talented. But I still think >> defensively that team kind of that kind of it actually had started to fall apart in uh in a win over the Bills. They gave up 505 yards that day. Uh so defensively it had really starting to fall apart before that. Uh but after the 49ers beat him, at least my memory of the whole thing is like they were kind of the 49ers took something out of him that day, they you know, whatever fire the Eagles thought they had that the 49ers kind of removed that from them. So anyway, >> yeah, and and you made that point already. It was it was the the physicality honestly just from watching that game. San Francisco was so much more physical and tough and like I don't think it's the same way now. But I think the biggest act factor in this game, the number one thing that I want to watch is uh Vic Fanio versus Kyle Shanahan. You already mentioned Kyle Shanahan. One of the best play callers in the NFL over the last decade. Not just as a head coach with San Fran. Taken the two Super Bowls. I know they've lost him, you know, both both times, but they've had consistently one of the better offenses in the league since he's been there, especially the years, you know, that they're at least healthy and they're in contention. Uh they're super dynamic and there's, you know, they're still going to be tough. Um the handle there, even though the run game with Christian McCaffrey has not been as good this year, they're 24th um in the NFL in rushing right now, which is kind of surprising when you consider the the talent of Christian McCaffrey. Um, but they don't have the run game, but obviously they still had the pass game. They have Kyle Shanahan. Now they're gonna get go against Vic Fangio, one of the better defensive corners in NFL history. You mentioned the eye candy stuff. I'll have a story out today that really talks about potentially why the Eagles do match up well with San Fran and one is because it's not just the talent of this Eagles defense which is is is apparent at every single level but also uh unlike the Eagles offense. I mean this is a this is a side of the ball that is sound um fundamentally they don't make a ton of um glaring errors. I feel like they're always in the right position. They don't bite on a ton of stuff. Like occasionally they do, but for the most part they're really disciplined. And that comes from Vic. Um being really thorough and how he prepares his guys. Um how he um gives them information that they're able to understand so they're able to play fast and not overthink and get the most out of their talent. So I'm excited to see this chess match where Kyle Shanahan tries to do different things, tries to take advantage of certain weaknesses. Maybe he views Adori Jackson as a weakness or Marcus Eps as a weakness. Even though those guys, you know, they've been solid, he probably views them as the potential weaknesses on the Eagles defense. I'm curious how he attacks them. I'm curious how just how Vic, you know, um has a response for Kyle Shanahan. Um I he mentioned they haven't played in a long time. I know he's well, I believe he's undefeated against Kyle Shanahan, but the the quarterback he's he's three he's three and one against >> Okay. Shanahan. But here here's the games. Um, so 2011 he was at San Fran. Uh, Shanahan, where was Shanahan at? Was uh I get where Kyle was at, but uh I don't think he was was he in No, he was he definitely wasn't in San Francisco because Vic was in San Francisco. Uh John Beck was the quarterback. Um, >> let's see. I got to look this up here quick. I got to know. I gotta know. Hold on, listeners. Hold on. Uh, and we we'll tell you where he was at. But John Beck was the quarterback and they sc I'll give you this tidbit of information before I'm looking at before. They in four games, Shanahan's teams have scored 41 points against Vick's defense. when you're talking about either a head coach or offensive coordinator uh lined up uh okay 2011 he was at Washington with his father of course um and they scored 49ers won 19 to1 uh they had 300 they gave up 303 yards forced three turnovers two sacks 52 rushing yards the commanders had RG3 in 200 2013 San Francisco beats the Washington 27-6. RG3 is the quarterback vers Kaepernick. Uh RG3 16 for 26, 118 yards, interception, 56.2 passer rating, sacked six times. Um Bears versus 49ers. This is the only time Shanahan has won the matchup. He was the head coach at that point. Vic was the DC. But the Bears, Shanahan wins 15 to 14, but the Bear or the the 49ers do not score a touchdown in that game. >> They have five, they went on five Robbie Gold field goals. Um Jimmy G was the quarterback for the 49ers, 26 for 37, 293. Um he was sacked twice, intercepted, uh one touchdown or no, he didn't he didn't have a touchdown or uh and then the Bears verse um the Bears versus the 49ers in 18. The Bears win for 14-9. The Vicks three and one in that game. It's three three Robbie Gold field goals is all the offense the 49ers get. So, he has had his way with him. Um, but in that game, Nick Mullins was the quarterback. So, this is going to be his best this is going to be um Shanahan's best offensive uh contingent that he's ever gone against Vic with. But, >> you know, they they they have a ton of respect about for each other. You know, Vic Vic talked about that earlier in the week. U so it is going to be a fun match up between those two. >> Yeah. And um definitely uh I mean RG3 at his peak in his rookie season was was incredible, but obviously that was short shortlived. Brackie is probably the most consistent quarterback that Kyle Shannon has had. And same with the weapons. Um and going back on to like you know whether the Eagles wanted to pay the Packers or Niners. I mean I have a little more faith that Brock Party is just more consistent than Jordan Love. So it's going to be a tougher tougher task. But I think the area um that they have an advantage in and I obviously one of those advantages is having Vic Fan. I think he's one of the few defensive coordinators can that can outs Kyle Shanahan. Kyle Shanahan's talked about in the past that you know that keeps him up at night. So it's going to be that chess match. But just when it comes to on the field, but I think the Eagles can dominate San Francisco up front. I saw Seattle um do it last week. I mean, you're looking at a San Francisco offensive line where even if Trent Williams plays, he he might not be fully healthy. And then the rest of the offensive line, I'm looking at the names and um you know, or Spencer Berford and Drake Brendle and Dominic Puny and Colton McKivitz um starting across the line next to Trent Williams. I mean, these guys have been um their starters for um a long period. San Francisco's never had a a dominant offensive line. Uh I mean, Bark Party does the ball. does a good job of getting the, you know, of running that offense and being efficient. But, I mean, this is an offense I feel like the Eagles could to potentially win those matchups up front with with their interior defensive line, which is loaded and with their edge rushers really peing at the right time and playing well. I I think San Francisco could just struggle blocking Philadelphia up front in this game. Bark Party likes to extend plays, which is a challenge. Uh, but the Eagles can contain him in the pocket and have a good rush plan. Uh, I think that's where the Eagles could really win this game. Get him off his comfort zone, make it difficult to to find George KD and Jawan Jennings and and if Ricky Pierce plays and just make Brock Party's life miserable. Yeah, I mean that that's where the biggest advantage is if you you look at all the matchups, the biggest advantage is the defensive line and not just the defensive line, but the front the front seven of the Eagles uh against the the Ner's offensive line. Now, the Niners do have a player I I I really like to seldom gets mentioned in Kyle Yusekch, their fullback. uh one of the few teams in the league, although it's grown a little bit, but one of the few teams in the league that that uses the position uh and and they do do use it. They get the ball to him as a receiver at times. Uh you know, he'll get his he'll get his one two catches a game. They always seem to to come at critical uh junctures. Um you know, he doesn't run the ball, but he but he's also a a force as a blocker, as a as a as a tough guy. Um, so, um, you know, he's he's he's something you have to watch out for, too. Just when you when you don't expect him to, uh, hurt you, he can. Um, but, you know, the the Eagles again, yeah, like you you just mentioned their their big advantage is, you know, the Jon Carter, if he's healthy, it's a different defense and it makes Jordan Davis and Moro Jomo better players. Um, you know, the Eagles edge rush has really picked up in the last second part of the season. It's it's a good front and you know, as you mentioned, you know, they they don't have a lot of depth in the secondary. They have they have depth on the defensive line. They have depth at linebacker, more I think more depth at linebacker than any team in the league. Uh, but they don't have a lot of depth. So, they got to they do need to stay healthy in the secondary uh if they're going to make if they're going to win this game and make a a run. But that's to to me that's the biggest advantage. Uh you know, if if we turned over to the offensive side of the line, the Eagles are going to have their uh their band back together for the first time in a long time with with Lane Johnson coming back. Uh so that we'll see what that does for them. I'm sure they're hoping that opens up the run game some for Saquon Barkley. Uh and you know, if I were the Eagles that that my run game would also include two other things. It would include Jaylen Herz design runs, a few more of those than we've seen through most of the regular season. And it would it would also include uh some tanks tank big mixed in, you know, that >> and maybe we do see that with with Wayne Johnson back. Um I think Cam Jurgens had the quote of the week and I said I asked him uh said what you know how how nice is it to have the band all together? He goes, "Well, if we were if we were a band, uh, Lane would be our lead guitarist standing back there with his shirt off and his eight pack showing off." And so, uh, so it's nice to have that guy back. And that's pretty much how they all felt, you know, with Lane being back on the practice field. He hasn't hasn't practiced full yet this week. Friday will be a big day for that to see if he if he does practice full and we get the the injury report uh, you know, today. So, we'll we'll we'll see if he's part of that and that'll be a big deal for the Eagles if he is. >> Yeah. Yeah. And um just uh you mentioned earlier the theme of honestly both games 2023 San Francisco out physical and out dominated. Um the Eagles, even up front, they were just way more physical. Um then 2023 NFC Championship game, you know, months prior, the Eagles were so much more physical in that game. They knocked out Brock Perie early. The Eagle, they couldn't really um just handle physic the physicality and the skill of Philadelphia's front. They tried blocking Hassan Reic of with a tight end which led to Brock Party's injury. Um I do think this is a game where like I think San Francisco is still a little more finessed than physicality, especially with the injuries that they have had uh to some of their best players. And I think the Eagles can dominate up front. Uh the quarterbacks between M. Jones and Brock Pury, they've been sacked 27 times this year um in total. So, those guys, you get them to the ground. I don't think the offensive line is particularly strong in the run game. We talked about before we came on, but just like uh the fact that Christian McCaffrey is only averaging 3.9 yards per game, 1,22 yards total. They're 24th in total rushing generally in the NFL um as a rushing offense. I mean, part of that might have to do with the fact that McCaffrey is not the same runner, and he probably I don't think he is the same runner necessarily, but he's still a good runner and they haven't been an efficient run blocking offense. So, the offensive line for San Francisco is a potential weakness. And if you could stop the run and if you can get after Brock Perie, you can stop some of those favorable matchups that maybe they have with McAffrey as a pass catcher and that they have with George KD in the middle of the field. Because if George KD gets isolated one-on-one against some of them Eagle against Nico Dean or even Zack Bonner or same thing with Christian McCaffrey, I feel like they're going to win some of those matchups. They're going to make some big plays, especially if if Kyle Shanahan uh is comfortable and he knows his quarterback is clean and he can scheme up a lot of different things. I that's when they'll get in trouble. But if they can stop that even from getting to that point and they can throw off Brock Birdie, I think the Eagles could really set the tone and uh dominate. Maybe not to the level they did two years ago, but I think they can control um this game defensively at least. Um and that's on offense. We talked about San Francisco's defensive injuries and you would think this is a game that the Eagles should really get going on offense and maybe they'll they'll they'll get the ground game going with that the that element of of Barkley and Herz and maybe even Bsby. Maybe maybe they can get the passing game going against a secondary if we're just being honest. It's kind of mediocre. Um statistically they haven't done that well this year and just talent-wise they don't have a ton of great personnel. I mean, generally, I mean, the San Francisco's defense just doesn't have a ton of personnel. Uh, but this is an Eagles offense, Bob, or the offensive line has struggled all year. You mentioned Lane Johnson coming back. That will be significant. He will help. You can at least feel good about your tackles and Lane Johnson and Jordan Mahada, but Cam Jurgens has played poor for the majority of the season. Same with Landon Dickerson. um Tyler Steen. Um I think he's been fine, but um I don't just generally this interior offensive line has not been very good. And then there's questions about the play caller. So who knows really if this could be the week that the Eagles offense gets going. I because it doesn't matter how much the defense does if you can't score any importance on offense. You mentioned those past Vicfanio games where um you know there's a bunch of field goals. I mean, the Eagles can't, you know, fick Fantio can hold him to a bunch of field goals, but maybe they'll end up This is a game where they could lose if their offense just doesn't show up. >> Who Who's the Who's the 49ers best pass rusher? >> Rice Huff. I can't believe we waited this long to mention. Oh my god. >> It's He's got four sacks, which is tied for the team lead. >> It's pretty bad. >> 15 15 QB hits. Well, the Eagles leaders only got six and a half. So, uh, that's the great Jail Hunt, who he may be the first player ever to lead his team in interceptions and sacks. >> Uh, he's got, but he he's had a decent year. He's had, you know, 15 games, eight starts. He's had four sacks. He's had, um, six tackles for loss and 15 QB hits. Uh, so, um, you know, he he's for him, he's bounced back some. He certainly had a better year than he did with the Eagles last year, but uh it's just not an intimidating pass rush at all. Um you know, without Nick, without Nick Bosa, Nick Bosa is a game changer. And they do not have another game changer on that defensive line or in the defensive front. >> No, they also lost Williams too, the rookie first as well. So, >> right, that was you know, one of the and again tells you how fast things go by. Javon Kimlaw was besides being in in a scrum with Big Dom was also quite you know an intimidating force you know and we haven't mentioned yet that Fred I don't think we did the Fred Warner's not in this game and there the Niners are holding on hope that Fred Warner might be able to play at some point u again this season but even when Fred was playing this year I don't think he was the same Fred Warner uh superstar allp pro that we've we've seen in the past. You know, he's just not the that that guy anymore, but he's still a great player, but you know, he's he is getting toward the end of his career. >> Yeah. And credit to the the to Robert Salah for being able to do anything with this defensive kind of mashup that he's been working with this year to be able to have some games where they've been competent and I find ways to win because I mean this is a defensive in room that um you you said Bryce Huff is their leading sack getter. Then they have Keon White who they acquired I believe like right before the season and Cleon Pharaoh and Robert Beal. And then they have their interior defensive line is just uh it's made up of of rookies and very underwhelming NFL players. And the linebackers are super banged up. Like Eric Hendricks was like one of my favorite linebackers to watch, you know, when I was like in high school. I mean Eric Hendrickx hasn't I mean he was decent d a couple years ago but I mean Eric Kendricks is 33 years old. He he he was good when the Eagles played the Vikings in the NFC Championship, but that was a that was a decade ago now. So >> almost a decade. Yeah. I mean in like >> decade. >> Yeah. And he was awesome. But I mean he's 33. Garrett Wallow has played like barely any NFL snaps. And it's a secondary that has has some rookies in it, some secondyear players that are unproven. Like I mean Robert Salah has done a decent job for what he's working with. But um you would think the Eagles would be able um to take advantage of this uh even with the offensive line injuries where they haven't been able to run the ball because the interior's been pretty bad this year. But I mean you you would think that AJ Brown and Devonte Smith uh and Dallas Goddard could win some of their matchups, especially Devonte and AJ outside 101 against the San Francisco secondary. Maybe that's enough. I'm not expecting coherent, consistent offense from the Eagles because they haven't shown us all year. I mean, they've not been a good rushing offense. They've not been a good passing offense. Uh they've been in so many third and longs and second and longs, and they they've shot themselves in the foot with penalties, and the play calling has been inconsistent and poor at times. Like, I don't I and just the execution hasn't been good. I mean, it's been all of it. So, I don't know if I'm expecting that to completely change, Bob, but like there's some part of me that believes that, you know, all it takes is a few plays from Dvonte Smith for AJ Brown uh to potentially make the difference because I'm leaning on the fact right now that I think the defense will shut down San Francisco's offense. So, the Eagles just need to do a little bit on offense in my opinion. Not not they only need to score 30 points. They only score 28 or 34. They just got to be able to score around 20, maybe 24 and make enough plays and extend some drives, especially in the second half. They can't stall out how they did against, you know, Buffalo a few weeks ago or other games this year where they've really stalled out in the second half. You know, that Tampa Bay game as well comes to mind. I mean, we haven't seen them be consistent. Are you confident enough despite all the issues on offense? um the the injuries on the offensive line, the questions about Kevin Pula's play calling, just the honest fact that we haven't seen it yet. Are you confident enough that offense is good enough even though or you know they take advantage of San Francisco even though San Francisco's all defense is not played well consistently? Their personnel is not very good and and are you confident you know >> I I I am I think I think Lane Johnson coming back is a big deal. I really do think a big deal. I think it it makes this offensive line somewhat better. And as much as I was not a proponent of them resting their starters when that second seed was still dangling in front of them and could have been theirs, uh if there's one group that can benefit more than any other on this team from that week, that week of rest, I think I do believe it's the offensive line with Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens. Uh, and obviously given Lane Johnson another week to to heal. Uh, and I I I honestly believe Jordan Milan, well, I know he did. He's he's based out loud. Jordan Milano felt that way as well. Tyler Stein might he's he's the the youngest of the bunch. So, uh, he may been the only guy that didn't really need it, but I'm sure he he appreciated it, too. I do think that the offensive line being rested really helps. Um, I know Squan talked a lot uh on Thursday about um his matchup with with uh Christian McCaffrey, you know, they're friends and they're but they're also competitors. Uh knowing Saquon the that the competitiveness and him is going to come out here wanting to be the best running back on the field. I I I actually think the Eagles offense is going to go out and have one of their best showings of the year this week. I do. I don't I I I just feel like there is a confidence there with this team and this offense going into this game. Yeah, I I I do. I I believe that. >> I I like the the optimism. I feel like I'm on the other end still. I do think it gets better with Lane. Obviously, he's a significant upgrade over Fred Johnson. Obviously, he's their their best offensive lineman. Um and obviously that solves some of the problem. I I still do worry about Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson. I know they got a week of rest, but you know, Cam with a back surgery and then suffering another knee injury this year and Atlanta is just always banged up. I just wonder if one week enough or one week arrest is enough. Like I don't know if those guys are going to revert back to uh being really good players. I mean, they just they have struggled all year for the most part. And I just don't know if one week is going to do enough. And I and I've seen it, you know, this offense talk all year about how they feel like they're they're one block away or they feel like they have found some solutions or and they they've talked positive in you know at different points after the Chargers game um you know after after the Raiders game after the Commanders game. They feel like they were building on something. they found something and then they went out in Buffalo and they just they couldn't run the ball in the second half against one of the worst run defenses in in the NFL. Um, and they struggled consistently in that game and a game they should have took advantage of of a weak Buffalo defense and and it's been since the beginning of the year where they just haven't been able to put together consistent offense. And like I still I I believe they have the at least the playmakers and and Jaylen Herz I think in the playoffs especially if he runs more that's going to make them more dynamic. So I believe you know they they they have the ability to be an explosive offense. I ju I just haven't seen it and if I haven't seen it all year I have a hard time believing even though you're right but I mean one getting lane back and then two just on paper like San Francisco's defense is not good like they got to do it now because the defenses that they're going to face over the next two weeks uh I mean Chicago if they if Chicago wins um not a great defense necessarily either but if they end up playing in the Rams in the division around if if Chicago loses and and the Eagles win Rams defense is pretty solid they got some secondary issues and Seattle's defense is awesome. So, I I don't have a ton of confidence that the offense is going to find direction, but I don't know if they need to put up a ton of points or necessarily be great to beat San Francisco. Uh so, I I think we can lean now into our predictions. We've talked about all the different possibilities in this game about Kyle Shanahan versus Vicio, about this offense. Uh but what do you think ultimately is going to happen on Sunday against San Francisco in the wild? Are the Eagles going to survive and advance? >> The Eagles are going to, in my I'm going to predict that the Eagles are going to put up 30 points. >> Wow. >> In this game, they are going to put up 30 points for the first has we don't have to go that far back. Uh, you know, they they had 29 against the Commanders and there were some missed field goals in there. So, that could have been a 30. They had 31 the week before, but before that, you got to go back all the way before the by-week to find find the 38 points, which was against the Giants. But I but I'm gonna I'm gonna have the Eagles putting up 30 on on the nose and more than 350 yards of offense. >> Okay. >> Uh and winning this game 30-7. >> I I like I like the boldness. And if the Eagles offense puts up 30 points, even though I've I've said multiple times that San Francisco's defense is not great, but if they put up 30 points in a playoff game, maybe there is some truth to like the theory that you kind of can turn it on at any moment if you have a if you have a lot of playmakers and a lot of talent and if you have an experienced quarterback in the playoffs. I mean, Nick Arani made the point uh I think it was a couple weeks ago during his press conference during their uh they played their best offensive games during his tensure against Washington and Kansas City last year. Um and that they did some nice stuff against the Rams as well, but that that was before that they had a sluggish offensive performance against Green Bay. They had some poor performances down the stretch in the regular season where the passing game really struggled and the Eagles came out um I mean they looked great especially in those last two games and a little bit in that Rams game as well. So maybe that's what happens and I'm and I'm proven wrong and the offense gets going in the playoffs and then all of a sudden I mean you if that happens you look at this team as potentially the favorite in the NFC. I'm not willing to go there yet because I don't believe in the offense. Um but I do believe in the defense. So I I'm going to go the Eagles. Um I think a big win though, Bob. I think I think this is more of a defensive statement than an offense figures it out type of day. I think the Eagles go in and they shut down San Francisco, similar to how Seattle um shut down San Francisco the week before. I think the Eagles have just as much are probably even more talent than Seattle's defense, at least in terms of personnel. I don't think Seattle's linebackers are as good as Philly. I think Eagles defensive line is arguably better. The secondary is arguably better. Mike McDonald's incredible and they they've been playing well Seattle. Um, but if if Seattle can do it, I believe the Eagles defense can do it. I think they're going to get after. I think they're going to take away um uh KD in the middle of the field with their linebackers. And uh however they want to cover him, maybe even putting Dean down to to cover KD at times. If they could take away their weapons and get after Pery, which I fully expect, and um and if Vic Fangio can get the better of Kyle Shanahan, which he's already proven he could do, um I think the Eagles win this game. And I think they end up winning like 17-7. I think this is a 10-point win where the defense just shows out. And I I think that's how they're going to have to to go about it this year. They're going to have to muster up enough offensive points and just be so awesome on defense that carries them. And honestly, Bob, I think they could possibly do it. I know some people don't think it's sustainable. I I think this defense is incredible. They're special. I know they've had some some rough games against the run. Um, I don't expect that to happen in the playoffs, though. >> Well, we'll see. We're about to find out. >> Yeah, we're about to find out. We'll see how far this team goes. But first, um, they got to beat San Fran. And, and if they don't beat San Fran, uh, it'll make things real interesting. Um, they'll have a decision to make about Kevin Pulo and whether they want to bring him back or not. If they get bounced in the first round, they'll they'll have a ton of personnel decisions to make. uh you know, if they lose, you know, one game into the playoffs, especially on offense, and how they're going to fix the running game. So, it'll be interesting either way, uh the outcome. But me and Bob are both picking San Francisco to win. We'll be back. >> Oh. Oh my god, that was such a that was such a brain fart. We're both picking the Eagles to win. Oh my god. All right, we're picking uh We'll keep that in. Oh, we're we're picking the Eagles win. That That is my bad. We're not picking San Francisco to win. Uh but we'll be back next week whether the Eagles lose or win because we either be preing a playoff game or we might be talking about coaching changes and uh what the future looks like for the Eagles going into 2026. So, thank you for everyone for tuning in and we'll catch you next week. >> The new year brings new health goals and wealth goals. Protecting your identity is an important step. Your info is in endless places that could expose you to identity theft leading to lost funds. Lifelock monitors millions of data points per second. 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