Can the 49ers Stop the Eagles' Run Game?

This offseason, the 49ers signed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who's an excellent player, but he's much better against the pass than against the run.

The 49ers like to tell themselves that the only reason they lost the NFC Championship game to the Philadelphia Eagles is because Brock Purdy suffered a fluke injury and couldn't throw.

But it's important to remember that the Eagles scored 31 points and rushed for 148 yards and 4 touchdowns in that game. It's hard to beat a team when you give up that kind of production on the ground. And that was when the Eagles starting running back was Miles Sanders, who wasn't good and isn't on the team anymore. Now the Eagles starting running back is D'Andre Swift, who's much more explosive and dynamic than Sanders. Plus the Eagles still have the best offensive line in the NFL.

Can the 49ers stop the Eagles run game this time around?

This offseason, the 49ers signed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who's an excellent player, but he's much better against the pass than against the run. 

Since the bye week, the 49ers run defense has been outstanding, which is partly because the 49ers traded for Chase Young. But it's also partly because they've faced Travis Etienne, Rachaad White and Zach Charbonnet the past three games. Before the bye week, they got gashed by Jerome Ford and Joe Mixon.

Swift is better than those two. Plus Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is a threat to run -- he has 9 rushing touchdowns this season.

This game will be a huge test for the 49ers defense. Will it stay hot, or will it revert to the defense it was before the bye week?

Stay tuned.