Preview: 49ers Run Game vs. Eagles Run Defense

The Eagles defense is incredibly stout up the middle, where they have Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Fletcher Cox -- three former first-round picks who are massive and extremely difficult to move. Running at them is a mistake.

The Eagles defense has allowed the third-fewest rushing yards in the NFL this season, but the 49ers still can find a way to run the ball this Sunday in Philadelphia.

Before their Week 10 bye week, the Eagles had given up more than 100 rushing yards in a game just once. Since their bye week, they've given up 168 rushing yards to the Chiefs and 173 rushing yards to the Bills in back to back games. This bodes well for Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers rushing attack.

The Eagles defense is incredibly stout up the middle, where they have Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Fletcher Cox -- three former first-round picks who are massive and extremely difficult to move. Running at them is a mistake.

But the 49ers don't run up the middle much, anyway. They want to run outside the tackles and to the left behind Trent Williams. And that's exactly where the Eagles run defense is vulnerable.

While the Eagles' defensive tackles are boulders, their defensive ends are not. Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick both set weak edges and allow running backs to turn the corner and sprint up the sideline.

Look for the 49ers to target Sweat in particular. He almost always lines up on the right side of the Eagles defense, which is the left side of the 49ers offense, where Trent Williams lines up. Look for the 49ers to pin Sweat inside with down blocks from wide receivers such as Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, look for Williams to pull and look for McCaffrey to follow him for big gains.

Advantage: 49ers.