Eagles Rout Injury-Riddled 49ers in NFC Championship 31-7: Live Game Log
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And then there were four.
As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for the offseason after what many consider a premature exit from the postseason, the Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) and San Francisco 49ers (13-4) prepare to face one another in the NFC Championship game on Sunday.
The Eagles advanced by virtue of a 38-7 shellacking of the New York Giants in the divisional round. They will appear in their eighth NFC Championship game to go along with four NFL Championship appearances before the AFL-NFL merger.
The 49ers will make their 18th appearance in the NFC Championship game and had one NFL Championship appearance before the merger.
Both teams will serve up highly-ranked offenses and defenses. The 49ers bring with them the fifth-ranked offense and second-ranked defense, while the Eagles maintain the third-ranked offense and first-ranked defense.
The 49ers defeated Philadelphia in the last meeting, 17-11, in Sept. of 2021 at Lincoln Financial Field, and lead the overall series record 19-14-1.
The story of the offseason thus far surrounds San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Purdy was the final overall selection in 2022's NFL Draft, known as "Mr. Irrelevant," and was forced into action due to injuries to Jimmy Garappolo and Trey Lance.
Making the 49ers' last seven starts going back to the regular season, Purdy is 7-0 and has impressed on many levels. He's 2-0 in the playoffs, completing 37-of-59 pass attempts for 546 yards. Maybe more impressive is his three touchdowns and zero interceptions in these playoffs.
Purdy looked a little more human against a stout Dallas defense last weekend, and he'll be facing much of the same in Philadelphia on Sunday.
The Eagles and 49ers kick off at 2 pm CT, before the matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs at 5:30 pm CT.
The winners advance to Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Feb. 12.
LIVE updates will appear here after kick-off...
PREGAME:
- Anita Baker offered a chilling performance of the national anthem.
- Rain is falling at the stadium in Philadelphia as the teams prepare for the opening kick, as the temperature climb to 50 degrees.
- The Eagles will begin the game with the ball first.
FIRST QUARTER: Eagles 7, 49ers 0
The Gould kick goes 60 yards to the PHI 5, returned by Scott to the PHI 34 for 29 yards.
Hurts passes short on the right side to BrownSF-F.Warner was injured during the play. for six yards, then Sanders runs up the middle for six more and a first down.
SF-F. Warner was injured during the play - official's timeout - Warner walked off the field and into the blue medical tent under his own power.
Hurts passes short on the left side to Goedert for a gain of two yards to the PHI 48, then Hurts runs out of bounds for no gain (officially a sack) under pressure from the 49ers defense. On 3rd and 8, Hurts hits Brown across the middle for 10 yards and a fresh set of downs at the SF 42.
Sanders is tripped up after a short gain up the middle, then Hurts throws incomplete to Goedert on the right sideline for a 3rd and 10 upcoming. Hurts finds Goedert short of the first down marker for a gain of seven.
FOURTH DOWN CONVERSION EAGLES: Hurts passes deep down the left sideline to Adams who makes a one-handed circus catch and stays in bounds for a 1st and Goal from the SF 6. - A video review would've determined the ball was not caught and it would've been incomplete. But the Eagles hurried up on the next play.
Hurts passes incomplete to Gainwell on the left side.
TOUCHDOWN EAGLES: Sanders runs into the end zone for a gain of six and a touchdown. The Elliott extra point is good for a 7-0 Eagles lead with 9:48 left in the first quarter. The scoring drive goes 66 yards in 11 plays and took 5:12 off the clock.
The Elliott kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Purdy passes short across the middle to Kittle for nine yards, then McCaffrey runs up the middle for two and a first down.
Purdy passes short on the left side to Aiyuk for a gain of 10. Penalty on PHI-H.Reddick, Defensive Offside, declined. First down.
Samuel runs off right end for four yards to the 50.
FUMBLE RECOVERY EAGLES: Purdy passes incomplete over the middle to Kittle. Philadelphia challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. Purdy actually fumbled the ball in a strip sack at the SF 40, a loss of 10 yards. The ball is recovered by L. Joseph at the PHI 44. First down Philly.
Sanders runs off right end, pushed out of bounds at the PHI 45. Hurts passes short middle to Stoll for five yards. On 3rd and 4, gain well rushes for no gain for a 4th and 4 from the 50.
The Kern punt goes 50 yards into the end zone for a touchback.
Brock Purdy is out with an elbow injury apparently suffered on the fumble play. Josh Johnson is in as Purdy heads to the locker room.
McCaffrey runs off left end to the SF 24, a gain of four yards, then Johnson is sacked for a loss of nine. On 3rd and 15, PENALTY on SF, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at SF 15 - No Play. On 3rd and 20, McCaffrey runs off right tackle for a gain of 16 to the SF 16. Bosa was injured on the sideline on the play.
Wishnowsky punts 45 yards to the PHI 29, downed by Gray. PENALTY on PHI-J.Jobe, Unnecessary Roughness, 14 yards, enforced at PHI 29.
Hurts passes short left to Brown who rumbles forward 11 yards for another first down.
Hurts passes short right to Brown for a gain of one, then Hurts scrambles to the right for a loss of one yard. Hurts was lucky to hold the ball after a bobbled snap.
Timeout #1 by PHI at 00:20 as the play clock was winding down
Hurts pass goes incomplete deep down the right side to Brown. SF-N. Bosa was injured during the play.
Kern punts 34 yards to SF 40, out of bounds. PENALTY on PHI-Z.McPhearson, Illegal Use of Hands, 10 yards, enforced at SF 40.
The Kern punt apparently hit the wire of the overhead field camera but that could not be confirmed by the officials.
Johnson passes short right to Samuel for nine yards to the PHI 41.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER
SECOND QUARTER: Eagles 21, 49ers 7
McCaffrey runs up the middle for a gain of seven and a first down.
On 1st and 10, PENALTY on SF, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at PHI 34 - No Play.
On 1st and 15, Johnson is sacked at the PHI 44, for a loss of five, then Johnson passes incomplete across the middle to Samuel for a 3rd and 20. Johnson throws incomplete short over the middle to Kittle. Penalty on SF-T. Williams, Illegal Formation, declined.
The Wishnowsky punt goes 38 yards, fair caught by Covey at the PHI 6.
Sanders loses a yard on first down, then Hurts is sacked for a loss of three at the goal line. Just inches away from being a safety. On 3rd and 14, Hurts passes incomplete short on the left side to Brown.
The Kern punt goes 53 yards to the SF 45, returned nine yards to the PHI 45 by McCloud.
Johnson passes short right to McCaffrey on the screen pass for nine yards, then McCaffrey runs off left end for three more and a first down.
McCaffrey catches the Johnson pass short across the middle for a gain of nine yards, then Johnson sneaks up the middle for a gain of two and another first down.
Johnson passes incomplete to Aiyuk.
TOUCHDOWN 49ERS: McCaffrey runs off right end for 23 yards and a touchdown. The Gould extra point is good for a 7-7 score with 8:29 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 46 yards in six plays and took 2:46 off the clock.
The Gould kick goes 65 yards into the end zone for a touchback.
Sanders run off left tackle for a gain of four, then runs for four more again off left tackle for a 3rd and 2 upcoming.
Philadelphia is just 1-of-5 on third-down conversions today.
Hurts scrambles off left end for a gain of one for a 4th and 1.
FOURTH DOWN CONVERSION EAGLES: Hurts sneaks up the middle again for a gain of one and a first down.
Hurts passes short to the left side for Sanders who is tackled immediately for a gain of three, then Hurts misses Smith deep down the right side. Great coverage by Ward on the play. On 3rd and 7, Hurts misses Brown. PENALTY on SF- J.Ward, Defensive Pass Interference, 3 yards, enforced at PHI 39 - No Play. First down, Philly.
On first down, Hurts throws incomplete short on the right side, throwing the ball away while under pressure. On second down, Hurts is sacked for a loss of two yards. PENALTY on SF-T. McGill, Illegal Use of Hands, 5 yards, enforced at PHI 42 - No Play. Automatic first down.
On 1st and 10, PENALTY on PHI-I. Seumalo, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at PHI 47 - No Play. On 1st and 15, Hurts passes to Goedert for a gain of four, then Hurts hits Gainwell who make a couple of moves to gain nine for a 3rd and 2 upcoming. Gainwell carries off right guard for a gain of four and a first down.
Gainwell carries for 17 yards to the SF 24 and another first down.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
Sanders runs right for a gain of just one, pushed out of bounds at the SF 23. Hurts throws incomplete out of bounds under pressure. PENALTY on SF-C.Ward, Illegal Contact, 5 yards, enforced at SF 23 - No Play. First down.
Sanders runs off left end for five.
TOUCHDOWN EAGLES: Sanders runs off left tackle for 13 yards and a touchdown. SF-S.Ebukam was injured during the play. The Elliott extra point is good for a 14-7 Eagles lead with 1:36 left in the first half. The scoring drive goes 75 yards in 14 plays and took 6:53 off the clock.
The Elliott kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Johnson passes short right to Samuel for a gain of 11 to the SF 36.
FUMBLE RECOVERY EAGLES: Johnson fumbles the snap, recovered by Reddick at the SF 30.
Hurts hits Goedert for a gain of five across the middle, then finds Goedert again on the right side for a gain of five more and a first down.
Scott runs to the right out of bounds. PENALTY on SF-D. Greenlaw, Face Mask, 10 yards, enforced at SF 20 - No Play.
TOUCHDOWN EAGLES: Scott runs off right end for 10 yards and a touchdown. The Elliott kick is good for a 21-7 Philly lead with 16 seconds left in the half. The scoring drive goes 30 yards in three plays after the turnover and took 55 seconds off the clock.
The Elliott kick goes 67 yards to the end zone, returned by McCloud 41 yards to the SF 39.
Johnson passes incomplete to McCaffrey, then Johnson hits Samuel for 13 yards to end the half.
HALFTIME
THIRD QUARTER: Eagles 28, 49ers 7
The Elliott kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
McCaffrey loses three yards on first down, then Johnson passes incomplete for a 3rd and 13. Johnson finds Kittle for a gain of 22 to the SF 44 and a first down.
On 1st and 10, PENALTY on SF, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at SF 44 - No Play. On 1st and 15, McCaffrey is stopped after a gain of just one yard on the left side after a screen pass from Johnson. Johnson's pass is incomplete deep down the left side for a 3rd and 14. Johnson was injured on the play.
Purdy returns to the game for at least this play as Johnson is on the sideline. Christian McCaffrey is the emergency quarterback. McCaffrey carries for a gain of just four for a fourth down.
The Wishnowsky punt goes 39 yards, fair caught at the PHI 17.
Sanders runs off left guard for three, then Hurts passes incomplete to Brown for a 3rd and 10. Christian McCaffrey is on the sideline studying the play sheet as if he may be playing quarterback.
Hurts passes deep down the right side to Brown but it's incomplete for a punting situation.
The Kern punt goes 43 yards to the SF 37, returned by McCloud eight yards to the SF 45.
Purdy appears to be coming in at quarterback.
Samuel runs off right end for a loss of four yards, then McCaffrey runs off left guard for a gain of one. On 3rd and 13, McCaffrey gains just three for a fourth down.
Purdy has yet to attempt a hard throw after his injury.
The Wishnowsky punt goes 46 yards to the PHI 9, fair caught by Covey.
Scott runs off left tackle for a gain of one, then Hurts scrambles for six for a 3rd and 3 upcoming. Hurts finds Smith for seven and a first down on the left sideline in very soft coverage.
Gainwell runs for five, then loses a yard for a 3rd and 5. Hurts finds Gainwell short o the right side who breaks tackles and struts up the field for 17 yards and a first down.
Hurts keeps the ball and runs off left end for a gain of four, then Hurts throws incomplete to Pascal across the middle. On 3rd and 6, Hurts throws incomplete to Watkins. Ward had great coverage deep down the right sideline.
The Kern punt goes 30 yards. PENALTY on SF-J.Mason, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced at 50 - No Play. First down, Eagles on the penalty.
Hurts runs off left end for 12 yards to the SF 23 and a fresh set of downs.
Hurts runs off right end for a gain of two, then runs for 14 to the SF 7, pushed out of bounds. PENALTY on SF-T.Hufanga, Unnecessary Roughness, 4 yards, enforced at SF 7.
Scott runs up the middle for a gain of two, then Hurts is stopped at the line.
TOUCHDOWN EAGLES: Hurts rushes up the middle for a gain of one and a touchdown. The Elliott extra point is good for a 28-7 Eagles lead with 43 seconds left in the quarter. The scoring drive goes 91 yards in 15 plays and took 7:50 off the clock.
The Elliott kick goes three yards deep and Samuel returns it 30 yards to the SF 27.
McCaffrey runs off left tackle for nine, then again for four and a first down.
49ers QB Josh Johnson has been officially ruled OUT with a concussion.
END OF THE THIRD QUARTER
FOURTH QUARTER: Eagles 31, 49ers 7
McCaffrey runs to the left for a gain of three. PENALTY on PHI-J.Sweat, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced at SF 28 - No Play.
Samuel runs off right end on an end-around pitch play but gains only one as the Eagles defense isn't fooled at all. McCaffrey runs for five on 2nd and 4 for a 49ers first down.
Kittle runs off right end for a gain of four on first down, then Samuel runs off left for a gain of one. Purdy clearly cannot throw the ball. On 3rd and 5, McCaffrey can get just three for a fourth down play upcoming.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS to EAGLES: Samuel is stuffed in the backfield for a loss of four. First down Eagles.
Gainwell runs right guard for three, then again off right end for 12 and a first down.
Gain well runs for no gain, then is stuffed for a loss of two. SF-C.Omenihu was injured during the play.
On 3rd and 12, Gainwell gains just two. PENALTY on SF-D.Greenlaw, Unnecessary Roughness, 14 yards, enforced at SF 28. First down, Eagles.
Gainwell runs for a loss of three, then gains six off right tackle. On 3rd and 7, gain well loses two for a field goal opportunity.
FIELD GOAL EAGLES: Elliott is good from 31 yards for a 31-7 lead with 5:14 left. The scoring drive goes 30 yards in nine plays and took 5:35 off the clock.
The Elliott kick goes 71 yards to six yards deep in the end zone. Samuel returns the ball 37 yards to the SF 31.
Direct snap to McCaffrey, who passes deep down the left side incomplete. Purdy passes short left to Kittle for just a yard, for a 3rd and 9 upcoming. McCaffrey runs off left tackle for a gain of six. Penalty on SF-T.Williams, Disqualification, offsetting. Penalty on PHI-K.Wallace, Disqualification, offsetting.
FUMBLE RECOVERY EAGLES: Samuel runs to the left for a loss of seven yards and fumbles the ball. Recovered by Blankenship at the SF 31.
Scott runs off left end for five, then loses a yard up the middle. On 3rd and 6, Scott runs for four for a 4th and 2 upcoming.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
Gainwell runs for six, then Minchew (in at QB for Philly) kneels to run out the clock.
END OF GAME
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