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A spot in Super Bowl 57 is on the line as the Philadelphia Eagles host the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game at Lincoln Financial Field.
The two teams have clearly been the conference’s most dominant powers this season. The Eagles (14-3) had the NFC’s highest-scoring offense during the regular season, averaging 28.1 points per game. Meanwhile, the Niners had the NFC’s stingiest defense, yielding just 16.3 points per contest.
The top-seeded Eagles earned a bye in the wild card round and are coming off a 38-7 shellacking of the New York Giants in last week’s divisional playoff. The Niners defeated the Seattle Seahawks 41-23 in the wild card round and edged the Dallas Cowboys 19-12 in their divisional playoff game.
According to Tipico Sportsbook, the Eagles are 2.5-point favorites with the over/under at 45 points.
NFL PICKS: Who will survive to play in Super Bowl 57?Second quarter: Eagles 7, 49ers 7
Christian McCaffrey’s 23-yard rumble has pulled the Niners even with 8:29 to play in the first half.
With backup quarterback Josh Johnson filling in for the injured Brock Purdy, San Francisco drove 46 yards in six plays to tie the game 7-7.
McCaffrey touched the ball on four of those plays, with a pair of 9-yard receptions a 3-yard run for a first down and the 23-yard TD.
He has accounted for 73 of the Niners’ 93 total yards on offense.
Can’t step on McCaffrey ???? @CMC_22
???? #SFvsPHI on FOX
???? NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4nCVJ pic.twitter.com/N9TO2Mc8mVEND OF FIRST QUARTER: Eagles 7, 49ers 0
The homestanding Eagles have the upper hand after one quarter, dominating the field position battle early. Miles Sanders’ 6-yard touchdown run accounted for the only score, but everything seems to be going Philly’s way.
The Niners have been forced to turn to backup quarterback Josh Johnson due to an elbow injury suffered by starter Brock Purdy. As a result, San Francisco only managed to generate two first downs and 45 yards of offense.
Philly’s Jalen Hurts completed 8-of-11 passes for 71 yards after one quarter of play.
— Steve GardnerBackup QB Josh Johnson takes over for 49ers
The first-quarter hit on quarterback Brock Purdy that resulted in a lost fumble may have been even more costly to the 49ers.
When Purdy was hit on the arm by Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick, he suffered an apparent elbow injury, according to a report on the Fox Sports broadcast.
This is so brutal for #49ers QB Brock Purdy. Right arm hit during the throwing motion, putting stress on the structures in the medial elbow. Most worrisome, the UCL. He’s in the locker room now, hoping for the best. Will keep you updated. pic.twitter.com/O4imGfWK7g
Journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson, who is playing for his seventh NFL team, entered the game for Purdy.
— Steve GardnerUpon further review? Refs under microscope early
The Eagles recorded the first turnover of the game when Niners quarterback Brock Purdy was hit as he was looking to pass midway through the first quarter.
Purdy was hit on the wrist by Philadelphia’s Haason Reddick, and even though the pass was called incomplete on the field, it was changed on replay review to a fumble and recovered by Linval Joseph at the Eagles 44.
That play came after a non-review on the Eagles’ first drive led to their opening touchdown.
A stellar catch by Eagles receiver Devonta Smith may not have been a catch after all.
Replays showed Smith, who hauled in a 29-yard pass on 4th and 3, did not secure the football, which hit the field after the play.
The 49ers did not challenge the play. The Eagles scored two plays later.
— Safid Deen and Steve GardnerFirst quarter: Eagles 7, 49ers 0
Miles Sanders scampered untouched up the middle for a 6-yard touchdown run to give Philadelphia a 7-0 lead on the game’s opening drive.
