Preview: 49ers Pass Defense vs. Eagles Pass Game

The 49ers have allowed an average opponent quarterback rating of just 66 the past three games since they traded for Chase Young and benched Isaiah Oliver. But now they have to face an elite offensive line, a quarterback who holds the ball a long time and two excellent wide receivers.

Since the bye week, the 49ers have faced teams with bad offensive lines and quarterbacks who want to throw the ball as quickly as possible -- Trevor Lawrence, Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith. As a result, the 49ers cornerbacks have been able to sit on the quick passing game and jump the short routes. That's not what they'll have to do against the Eagles.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts likes to hold the ball a long time in the pocket, because he can -- he has some of the best pass protection in the NFL. And when the pocket breaks down, he can scramble, get to the perimeter and throw deep to two excellent receivers -- A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith -- who are both extremely difficult to cover for more than 3 seconds.

Charvarius Ward most likely will cover Brown, and in the NFC Championship game, Brown gained merely 28 receiving yards. But the Eagles didn't have to throw much, because they led the entire game and knocked out the 49ers' starting quarterback.

Ambry Thomas most likely will cover Smith, and in 2019, those two faced each other in college, and Thomas held Smith to just 3 catches. Perhaps Thomas matches up well with him.

In the trenches, Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson is expected to play after missing the last game with a groin injury. Without Johnson, Nick Bosa would feast on the Eagles backup right tackle, whoever that is, and the 49ers would win. With Johnson on the field, Hurts should have time in the pocket, and the 49ers cornerbacks will have to cover without committing penalties.

Advantage: Eagles.